OZ/ N. Zealand book shop Question..

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Member for

19 years 1 month

Posts: 141

I'm currently travelling the world - South America at present - and am looking forward to landing in an country that may offer the opportunity to pick up a good aviation read. I am specifically thinking about autobiographies by World War II pilots - similar to the G. Wellum or W.C. Duncan-Smith editions.

My next stops are NZ (North Island) and OZ, and I would love to know the locations of any specialist book shops, or any Aviation Museums with a decend book section, that I can head to to stock up before heading off to China, India etc.

I am currently stuck reading 20 year old copies of Miss Marple novels which seem to litter every hostel in this continent!?! :confused:

Cheers in advance.

APC104 :)

Original post

Member for

20 years 1 month

Posts: 1,612

Without a doubt, travel to Air Force World in Wigram, Christchurch, NZ.
Lots to see and from what I remember, there's a good selection of books there too.

Here in Wellington, Capital Books is great. Bought many an aviation book from there.

Hope this helps.

Cheers
TNZ

Member for

20 years 6 months

Posts: 8,195

Hi APC,
Hylands Bookshop here in Melbourne is an excellent aviation bookshop. Their tagline "A Man's World of Books" might seem a bit odd, but if transport, military history etc is your interest, they are top stuff. They are equel (perhaps surprisingly, given thier market) to any of the excellent bookshops in the UK, IMHO.
Cheers

Member for

19 years 9 months

Posts: 1,907

I will defer to JDK's opinion on international comparisons, but Hylands Book store in Little Flinders St Melbourne is "my" favourite retail therapy outlet!

I find I pick up one laybuy just in time to lodge a new one.

regards

Mark P

Member for

20 years 6 months

Posts: 8,195

Mark, I thought, I was saying they are very good. :confused:

In case of confusion, Hylands Bookshop is very good. I reccomend them.

A note for our international readers, 'Layby' is Australian for having something reserved to purchase on another day.

Member for

19 years 9 months

Posts: 1,907

JDK,

I thought you were saying that they were good too, :rolleyes:

my comment of defering to you was simply meant that I would leave the International comparisons to your expertise and experiences, and to simply say they are my favourite place to be a "kid" in a "lolly" shop!, :p

the choice of books in that shop is truelly staggering!, whats more if they dont have it they will help you track it down, even from another shop!! ;)

regards

Mark P :D

Member for

19 years 1 month

Posts: 141


Their tagline "A Man's World of Books" might seem a bit odd

Hmm... wondered where you were going with that one! ;)

Thanks for the recommendations. I have a few days planned in Melbourne and will be sure to pop in pick something up.

Any other hidden gems out there?

Cheers
APC104 :)

Member for

20 years

Posts: 5,575

In auckland you could try Motat's museum which sells aviation books at the Keith park memorial airfield, right in front of their Lancaster and other planes. Also Whitcoulls and Borders in Queen Street, Auckland are big shops and will undoubtedly have something.

I would highly recommend Bryan Young's book 'Beckoning Skies' if you can pick it up, it should be still available. One of the best aviation autobiographies of a WWII pilot I've read. Another good one is "Tiger Moths and Butterflies"by Peter Norman which you may find in a NZ bookshop still. It's a good read. Al Deere's book has recently been re-released here as have several other classic ace's books too.

There's a pilot's shop at Ardmore aerodrome, home of the Warbirds, which I'm sure has books, though it is never open at weekends (Go Figure - when everyone is flying it's closed!)

Good luck.

Member for

19 years 2 months

Posts: 153

If you're trying to track down Australian aviation books and magazines or model kits - here's a few names to start you off:

Sydney-

Bookshops:
Napoleons (in the city for new military and aviation), Berkelouw's (in Paddington - great range of second-hand books upstairs; another branch in Balmain); there's also a military/aviation bookshop in Church Street, Parramatta - Battlebridge Military Books; Gould's in Newtown (you need some patience here, it's is/was like a second-hand and publisher's remnants bookshop; very hit and miss but can turn up some treasure for very cheap prices)

Model-kits:
Hobbyco (it's the big one in the Pitt's Street mall, in the city very close to Centrepoint Tower).

Melbourne-

(The following are all within 2 city blocks of each other and of Flinders Street Station.)

Bookshops:
Hylands on Flinders Lane (a must-stop shop), two second-hand bookshops – one facing Flinders Street Station on street level – Flinders Books (?), one downstairs facing Elizabeth Street – City Basement Books (the guys at Hylands will be able to give you directions) – both contain good stock of military and aviation books.

Model-kits:
Hearns Hobbies (basement level, under Elizabeth Street entrance of Flinders Street station); Victorian Hobby Centre (upstairs off Swanston Street, door to stairs is next to KFC).

A bit further afield but still in the city:
McGills Newsagency (go upstairs for the military and aviation books) on Elizabeth Street, about 4 blocks north of Hearns Hobbies. Technical Bookshop (on Swanston Street) across from the State Library.

Perth-

Bookshops:
Relims (on Hay Street); Elizabeths 2nd Hand-books (on Hay Street and Barrack St.); Boffins on Hay Street – all within 50m of each other (except the Barrack Street branch of Elizabeths).

Model-kits:
Perth Hobbies on Murray Street (one street away from Boffins/Relims/Elizabeths); City Hobbies in the Piccadilly Arcade (Hay Street Mall).

I've included the model-kit stores as they all carry a sizable range of miltary and aviation books and magazines.

There's lots more. Try using the yellow-pages website to search: http://www.yellowpages.com.au/

Auckland-
Isn't there a 2nd-hand book shop in High Street, ground floor entrance with large basement. Had a large selection of military and aviation books, the last time I was there ....about 4 years ago?

...geoff

Member for

19 years 1 month

Posts: 141

Geoff and Dave, thanks for these... I need to come up with a cunning plan to divert my girlfriend in the general dirrection of these places while happening upon them quite by chance... hmmmm ! ;)

Member for

19 years 2 months

Posts: 153

It's easy in Melbourne. The area around the station is full of boutique shops selling clothing/jewellrey/knick-knacks/touristy-souveneirs. A couple of the lanes (Deagraves St is one, I think that's how it's spelt) is wall to wall with good eateries and coffee shops. Easy to distract her, :D , but it may be expensive.

Otherwise, walk under the station at the Elizabeth Street entrance, head across the pedestrian foot-bridge and you're at South Bank. Great restaurants. Head further south and there's the art centre.

Have fun.
...geoff

Member for

20 years

Posts: 5,575

Isn't there a 2nd-hand book shop in High Street, ground floor entrance with large basement. Had a large selection of military and aviation books, the last time I was there ....about 4 years ago?

Yes, it's called RARE BOOKS. Good shop, very expensive though. TradeMe.co.nz is cheaper and more convenient for non-Aucklanders.

Member for

19 years 11 months

Posts: 1,234

Brisbane has a branch of Napoleans as mentioned above and I support Mark and James on Hylands in Melb where I go every chance I get. Shopping on line is also good with lots to choose from

regards
john P

Member for

18 years 10 months

Posts: 109

Also Bookmarks in the Parkway Arcade at Takapuna in Auckland's North Shore.
They can have a great selection of Aviation related titles, I should know having spent a dollar or two there.

If you want a good "private publication" read, I can recommend "GeTaWay" by Gordon Thompson Woodroofe, since deceased. Soft-covered with 320pp. He was the only Kiwi airman to escape from a PoW camp.

Copies are still available from his widow so drop me a line if you are interested in obtaining a copy and I will dig out her contact details.

Tony

Member for

20 years 1 month

Posts: 1,612

If you want a good "private publication" read, I can recommend "GeTaWay" by Gordon Thompson Woodroofe, since deceased. Soft-covered with 320pp. He was the only Kiwi airman to escape from a PoW camp.

Copies are still available from his widow so drop me a line if you are interested in obtaining a copy and I will dig out her contact details.

Tony

I see a copy is available here at the Welly Library.
I've been looking for a good book to read after "Tiger Moths and Butterflies"

Thanks, might go grab it tomorrow

Cheers
TNZ