Trevor Hunter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Trevor Hunter
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Trevor Balfour Hunter
25 January 1915 Whanganui
|
| Died | 8 May 2002 (aged 87) |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Spouse(s) | James Colway |
| Aviation career | |
| Flight license | 1933 |
| Air force | Royal air force |
| Rank | First officer |
Trevor Balfour Hunter (born January 25, 1915 – died May 8, 2002) was a brave pilot from New Zealand. She made history by flying with Ted Harvie on his amazing record-breaking flight across New Zealand in 1933. Trevor was also the very first of five women from New Zealand to join the Air Transport Auxiliary during World War II. This group helped deliver planes where they were needed.
Contents
Early Life and Flying Dreams
Trevor Hunter was born in a town called Whanganui, New Zealand, on January 25, 1915. Her mother was so sure she would have a boy that she named her Trevor!
When she was young, Trevor loved flying. She joined the Whanganui Aero Club. At just 16 years old, she flew an airplane all by herself for the first time. In 1933, she earned her 'A' pilot's license, which meant she was officially allowed to fly planes.
Record-Breaking Flights
When Trevor was 18, she went on an incredible adventure. She flew with another pilot named Ted Harvie. They flew from North Cape, at the very top of New Zealand, all the way to Bluff, at the very bottom! This flight was about 1880 kilometers long. It was the longest flight ever recorded in New Zealand at that time, and their record lasted for 28 years!
In 1934, another famous pilot, Jean Batten, flew solo from Britain to New Zealand. Trevor was one of four female pilots who flew alongside Jean Batten's plane to welcome her when she arrived.
Flying in World War II
In 1941, Trevor decided to help with the war effort. She joined the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) in Britain. The ATA was a special group that flew planes from the factories where they were built to the air bases where they were needed for fighting.
Like other women from New Zealand who joined, Trevor had to pay her own way to get to Britain for her flying test. Once she was accepted, she became a "ferry pilot." This meant she flew many different types of aircraft. She flew for 1200 hours by herself and piloted 42 different kinds of planes! Some of these included famous planes like Spitfires, Warwicks, Mitchells, and Wellingtons.
Life After the War
After World War II ended, Trevor continued her career as a pilot, flying planes for businesses. In 1950, she married a journalist named James Colway.
Trevor Balfour Hunter was a true pioneer in aviation. She showed that women could be amazing pilots and achieve great things in the sky.
