Episode 4 – Bruce Cooke

Host: Dave Homewood

Guest: Bruce Cooke

Duration: 76 minutes, 09 seconds

Topic: We hear from Bruce his early introduction into aviation, and his very brief career in the RNZAF, followed by his training as an engineer in civil aviation. We hear about working at Gulf Aeronautics, Aeromotive at Hamilton and CityJet, among other places.

We also hear how he was first inspired to take up the challenge to design and build his own aeroplane, the Avian Adventurer. Bruce describes the ten year process of this project, from inception to the current test flying phase. We also hear about his passion for modelling the RNZAF’s aircraft in 1/72nd scale.

Bruce also talks about the Sport Aircraft Association of New Zealand, the Black Sands Fly-In that he’s involved in organising, and upcoming seminars that SAA is holding for prospective home builders.


Bruce Cooke


The Avian Adventurer under construction

The Avian Adventurer panel


The Avian Adventurer interior


The Avian Adventurer in its Te Kowhai airfield hangar


The Avian Adventurer in flight – photo by John King


The Avian Adventurer in flight – photo by John King


Bruce’s 1/72nd scale vacuum formed model of the RNZAF Short Singapore III


Bruce’s 1/72nd scale RNZAF Boeing 727-100

Quick Links:

•  Sport Aircraft Association of New Zealand

Forum Threads Mentioned in Bruce’s Interview Were:

•  Al Marshall’s Bristol Freighter Restoration Thread

•  Photo Thread – The Douglas DC-3

•  The Harvard Pile

•  Anthony Galbraith’s 1/32 Scale Westpac BK-117 Rescue Helicopter

•  Anthony Galbraith’s 1/48 Scale No. 14 (Occupational) Squadron Corsair

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