PACIFIC FLEET AIRMEN

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24741, 5 December 1945, Page 8

PACIFIC FLEET AIRMEN

CHRISTCHURCH VISIT

16 NAVAL FIGHTERS AND BOiMBERS

Flying in four different types of aircraft, .49 officers and men of the British Pacific Fleet arrived at the R.N.Z.A.F. station at Wigram yesterday afternoon on a one-day visit to Christchurch. Thirty-two officers and men flew Supcrmarine Sea fire and Fairey Firefly lighters and Grumman Avenger torpedo-bombers Irom the aircraft-earner Indefatigable at sea, and one officer and 16 men flew from Wellington in an R.N.Z.A.F. Douglas Dakota transport to service the airciaft before they fly to Ohakea in lire North Island to morrow morning. Originally the aircraft were to have flown over Ashburton before landing ai Wigram, but the Avengers had petrol for only 46 minutes’ flying vhen they leached Christchurch, and therefore the leader of the formation. Commander Nigel llallett, R.N., D.SiC, and bar. cancelled the trip. Arrangements have been made, however, for the aircraft to fly over Ashburton tomorrow at 9.1n a.m.

Large Crowd at Wigram After taking off from the Indefatigable the aircraft gave a display over V, ellinglon and then flew to Woodbourne, near Blenheim, where they refuelled. They flew over Christchurch at 4.30 p.m. and landed shortly before 5 pan. There was a large crowd at the aerodrome to see the aircraft arrive. and the crews were officially welcomed by the Mayor of Christchurch <Mr E. H. Andrews) and Group Captain C. E. Kay, O.C. Wigram. ' While waiting for the aircraft to arrive the crowd was entertained by a display of aerobatics given by Flight Lieutenant M. Walker in a Corsair fighter. Many people were so intent on watching his flying that they did not see .the naval aircraft coming towards Wigram and silhouetted against the dark clouds in the north. In flights of four the aircraft made a wide sweep round the city and then flew south before coming back to land. The three types were hard to distinguish at a distance, but the stubby Avengers lagged behind the Seafires and Fireflies, which can fly at more than 300 miles on hour. First to land were the Seafires, the naval equivalent of the famous Spitfires, which touched down lightly in fours practically together, and pulled up after a very short run. The Fireflies followed and then the Avengers.

There were eight Seaflres, four Fireflies, and four Avengers, which were o r awn tip facing the main hangars, Mr Andrews welcomed the. crews to Christchurch on behalf of the citizens ®nd the R.N.Z.A.F. staff at Wigram find said the city was delighted to f.iX e *hem here. “We are feeling a little aggrieved that the South Island ;ls-. not; getting a chance to see your magnificent . ship," he added. “That ‘tvai .ijol; to. he, but we want you to understand .that the South Island is the most important part of New Zealand.

, “I want to extend a very hearty welcome to you all,” said Mr Andrews. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to see your aircraft, for We know the great wprk they have cone. But a striking force is no use without the human element. You are the men who have flown the aircraft and worked their guns, and you are tne ones to whom we pay tribute.”

Flying Display Commander Hallett thanked the Mayor on behalf of the aircrews for the welcome they had received. He said they were very fortunate in being the only members of . the Indefatigable’s crew to see the South island* End Christchurch. They regretted that they were not' staying longer, but they hoped to be able to put on a short flying display before Uiey left. All the officers and Ven in the visiting party have served in operations against the Japanese, and some have seen service on other war fronts, one officer having flown with a land-based Fleet Air Arm squadron attached to the Bth Army in North Africa, The Seafires and the Fireflies have been used in attacks against the Japanese, and the Seafires were actually in action after the enemy had officially surrendered.

With their greyish blue camouflage and blue and white Pacific Fleet roundels on their fuselages the Seafires and Fireflies—the first Fleet Air Arm fighters to visit Wigram—were, of Juuch interest-to both members of the public and airmen on the station. The Fireflies’ armament consists of four 20-millimetro cannon and eight rockets, and their top speed Is more than 1 300 miles an hour. The blackpsinted Avengers, v/hich seemed to tower* above the, Seafires with their *lim, graceful lines, are fitted to carry rockets under the wings, as well as cne ton of bombs in place of a torpedo.

AIRCRAFT OVER WELLINGTON

FAREWELL LEAFLETS DROPPED

<P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 4. After the aircraft-carrier Indefatigable and the destroyers Wizard and Urchin had left Wellington at 10.30 a.m. to-day for the Marlborough Sounds the 16 aircraft which are to make a goodwill tour of New Zealand air stations flew over the city at lunch time, before making their first call at Woodbourne. *

Parcels of leaflets, bearing a farewell message from Vice-Admiral. Sir Philip Vian, were released in the air and made a brilliant show as they fluttered down. They were eagerly scrambled for.

In the leaflet Admiral Vian, on behalf of the officers and ships’ companies. thanked the people of Wellington for their kindness and hospital it v.

Yesterday a party of 500 men from the ships was entertained by Maoris at Otaki. During yesterday parties of men who had been away on excursions to the Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay districts continued to return to the ships. All had enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and spoke enthusiastically about the hospitality they had received.

Telephone at Broad Creek.—Because of the danger and inconvenience caused by Broad creek, east cf Bealey, representations will be made to the Public Works Department by the Vestland District Progress League for the installation of a telephone line from Bread creek to the Bealey Hotel to enable contact to be made with towing personnel until such time as a bridge was constructed. rv^f 0 *? 1 ? 118 Tnrns Back.-The West Coast-Nelson air service was cancelled The Pi™® set out from Hokiluta, but returned because coS? 6 ' fly “ g conditions £