PACIFIC AIR SERVICE

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24624, 21 July 1945, Page 8

PACIFIC AIR SERVICE

I -—♦ OPERATION BY R.A.F. TRANSPORT UNIT (P.A.) AUCKLAND, July 20. When the decisions of the Commonwealth Air Transport Council regarding aft services to New Zealand were referred to Squadron Leader Ernie Clark, D.F.C., commanding an R.A.F. Transport Command Unit at Auckland, he said that R.A.F. Transport Command had been operating a service twice weekly in each direction through Auckland since the beginning of November last. This service was inaugurated mainly for the benefit of the Australian and New Zealand Governments, and. while restricted to Government and military needs, it had carried a large number of important passengers and provided a fast service for official and troop mail. The Pacific service operated from San Diego, California, to Sydney, via Honolulu, Canton Island, Fiji, and Auckland, said Squadron Leader Clark. The type of aircraft used was a Liberator Express or RY3, which was conspicuous for its high single tail, by contrast with the twin tail of the older models. From San Diego. R.A.F. Transput Command conducted a shuttle service of Dakota aircraft to Montreal, where connexion was made with a Liberator service to England, operated since early in the war by the British Overseas Airways Corporation, Crews operating the Pacific service hailed from many parts of the British Empire, and NeW Zealand was well represented, said Squadron Leader Clark. A complete Royal New Zealand Air Force crew, under the captaincy of Squadron Leader Bradshaw, was at present being converted to a Liberator type aircraft at Montreal, and Flight Lieutenant Clarke, Gimmerbiim. Central Otago, was regular captain on the route. Other New Zealand crew members were Flight Lieutenant Webb, Auckland; Flying Officer K. Irwin, Dargaville; and Flying Officer'Kidd, Christchurch, although the last two were at present on other routes.