AEROPLANES COLLIDE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 131, 16 March 1931, Page 6

AEROPLANES COLLIDE.

ESCAPE OF THE PILOTS. (Per Press Association). MASTERTON, March 15. Ideal Aveather prevailed for the official North Island Air Pageant, which was held on .Saturday at Masterton, about 70 pilots and over 30 machines participating. The flying was of a high standard. "The New Zealand Government s Gloster Grebe suffered slight damage when landing after a demonstration, the tail skid being broken and the rudder damaged. A mishap in the Herald Cup marred this event, two 'planes touching when travelling at a speed of about 100 miles an hour and a height of 200 feet The 'planes concerned were two Moths piloted by Messrs .15. W. Boys (Hawke's Bay) and P. C. Lewis (Auckland), both of whom had remarkable escapes from injury. , The mishap occurred in the final lap of the pee in the straight. It was reported that Mr Boys was passing Mr Lewis when his will" tip touched the fuselage of the other 'plane. .Mr Lewis's propeller was damaged, Mr Bovs's left wing and propeller" li'ing splintered. Mr 'Lewis went into a wide spiral, struck a- fence and overturned, the 'plane being badly damaged. Mr Boys landed skilfully in a mangold field, slightly damaging his undercarriage. The machine was not badlv damaged. The official opening of the Hood Aerodrome took place during the afternoon .

Results, were: Landing! Competition, A pilots I. Hudson (Otago) 1, R. O. Brown (Hawke's Bav) 2, H. Gardiner (Wellington) 3. *** „. ' Newbigin Cup. Flight - Lieutenant Buckley!, Flying-Officer Olson (Otago) 2. Captain Stedman 3. Herald Cup—C. M. Duthie (Wellington) 1. R. V. Jury (Waivarapa) 2. Landing, B pilots—F. McDonald (Wellington) 1, Squadron-Leader Findlay 2, Flight-Lientennnt Buckley 3. Acrobatic Competition—D. M. Allan (Auckland) 1.