AIR FORGE BALL

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 109, 4 November 1939, Page 18

AIR FORGE BALL

SPECTACULAR PROGRAMME

Seldom has the Metropole Cabaret, Auckland, been more effectively decorated, nor has a more spectacular programme of entertainment been presented than at the balL given there on Wednesday night by the warrant officers, n.c.o.s, and airmen of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Base, Hobsonville, and the Auckland (G.R.) Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, states the "New Zealand Herald." In front of the stage was a propeller with two crossed machine-guns, one an air Vickers the other an air Lewis, against each arm, while flanking these were a reproduction of a 2201b bomb and a number of small practice bombs in a bomb rack. Suspended from the ceiling was a scale model of R.lOl, the work of the photographic section at Hobsonville, and small, scale models of several fighting machines. | GRIM REALISM. j A touch of grim realism was introduced at 10 o'clock, when following the sounding of the siren, a battle in the air took place between a German Zep pelin and a number of Allied machines. This feature was most effectively worked, the Zeppelin being propelled across the ceiling to be picked up by searchlights, after which there were. three gun hits followed by terrific explosion, when the enemy craft was hit and broken in half. Corporal N. Spring-Rice and Corpora^ E. Patterson were responsible for the making of the Zeppelin and the arrangement of this feature.

After this display a note of humour was introduced in a burlesque of the general reconnaissance squadron carrying out two flights, in which the machines were composed of painted bottles.

The official party comprised WingCommander and Mrs. H. B. Burrell, Squadron-Leader Coull and SquadronLeader and Mrs. D. M. Allan. The committee included Flying-Officer G. M. I. Adams (organiser), Leading Aircraftman T. J. Butler (secretary), and a committee of warrant officers, n.c.o.s. and airmen from the base.