NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 215, 11 September 1929, Page 12

NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE.

CO-OPERATION OF SERVICES. USB OF FAIREY 'PLANES. STATEMENT BY MR. WILFORD; (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The two Fairey F. 3 flying machines' which have been shipped from England are to be located at the Hobeonville air base, stated the Minister of Defence, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, during the diecussion on the naval estimates. These machines, he added, were a eplendid type, easily capable of the work required. For the present they will.be used at Hobsonville, which was the only seaplane base, and though they were flying-boats, they could be converted into Land machines in a few minutes by fixing wheels. They were useful for reconnaisance work in conjunction with the Navy and Army. The first time that aeroplanes had co-operated with sea and land forces in New Zealand defence operations wae in Auckland at the beginning of last year, when it was found that they could do good work. The new Naval commander, Mr. Wilford said, was thoroughly up-to-date in his knowledge of co-operation between naval and air forces, and he had informed Mr. Wilford that he was most interested. When Wing-Commander Dawson arrived, with his splendid record as administrator and flvino- officer, New Zealand could make a start on the right lines in regard to changes in its defence system.