AERIAL ASCOT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 151, 29 June 1931, Page 7

AERIAL ASCOT.

DISPLAY BY R.A.F. Million People Watch Wonderful Pageant. FESTIVAL OP DARING YOUTH. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, June 28. In glorious flying weather nearly 1,000,000 people within and without the Hendon aerodrome witnessed an unparalleled Royal Air Force pageant yesterday, which for distinguished attendance, skilful performance and smartness in dressing, ranked as an aerial Ascot. The Duke of Gloucester flew from Tidmouth to Hendon. Prince George, Princess Ingi-id and members of the Cabinet also attended. Wonder followed wonder from bomb;ing displays, aerial duels and combats, varied by drill in refuelling a giant bomber in mid-air from another aeroplane. Complete accuracy in the evolu-, tions was maintained at a speed of 150 miles an hour. Crazy flying by two aeroplanes, whose: pilots deliberately did everything wrong, enthralled the crowd. An autogyro like a windmill hovered in the air,"while a tailless "pterodactyl" machine, with: painted eyes a,nd a mouth like a Chinese i dragon, circumnavigated it with exaggerated wings. A "gugnunc," with which it is almost impossible to crash, dropped like a plummet from the sky under perfect control. The new "fury" fighters gave a royal salute at a speed of 214 miles an hour. Six parachutes gracefully descended from three huge Vikinge. One of the star turns was the catapulting of a Virginia night bomber, weighing nine tons, which provided a most dramatic display in the destruction of a naval gun, which was supposed to have shelled London and damaged St. Paul's, and the defeat' of its defending aeroplanes by bombing the fighting squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Of the airmen who took part in the display 90 per cent were between the ages of 19 and 21. Many were toddlers in war-time. The pageant was truly a festival of Britain's most daring youth, whoso feats were marvellous.

FLYING AMBULANCE. INNOVATION IN BRITAIN. (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 28. Princess Mary, when inspecting the Surrey Red Cross detachment at Dorking, witnessed the initial flight of England's first aerial ambulance. It is a monoplane, presented anonymously by a Croydon woman, and accommodates two stretcher cases, an attendant and a. pilot. A similar ambulance will be attached to other flying clubs.