TASMAN AIR RACE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 38, 14 February 1945, Page 5

TASMAN AIR RACE

AUCKLAND TO SYDNEY

Won By Liberator Pilot

Don Teel

N.Z. Press Association—Copyright

Rec. 1 p.m.

SYDNEY, this day

An R.A.F. Transport Command Liberator pilot, Captain Don Teel, yesterday won a transtasman air race from Auckland to Sydney by half an hour. It was his sixth outstanding flight during the past month. Yesterday his plane defeated 'two other R.A.F. Transport Command Liberators after having conceded them five and ten-minute starts respectively. Captain Teel's plane flew the 1350 niiles between Auckland and Sydney in 6 hours 50 minutes. A cross wind spoiled his chance of setting a new record. The other two Liberators had flown from America after having been delayed by bad weather. Captain Teel's Liberator had been to New Zealand on a special mission for the Commander-in-Chief of the British Pacific Fleet, Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser. It had flown to Auckland 13 New Zealand officers and ratings of the Royal Navy. The men were having their first home leave in four years. Special Trip for N.Z. Men Recently Captain Teel has been making special flights in the Pacific. Last week he returned with Admiral Fraser from New Zealand, after which his plane was to go to its Montreal base, but someone informed Admiral Fraser that 13 New Zealanders in the British Pacific Fleet were home sick. Sir Bruce made arrangements for Captain Teel's Liberator to make a special round trip.. The New Zealanders were flown home for an early breakfast in Auckland on Monday, and yesterday the Liberator flew back with Australians returning from leave. Later in the week Captain Teel and his crew will make a fresh start for Montreal.