FLEET AIR ARM EXERCISES

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24743, 7 December 1945, Page 6

FLEET AIR ARM EXERCISES

BAD WEATHER CAUSES MODIFICATION

CRASH LANDING BY ONE AIRCRAFT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 6. The programme of exercises laid down for H.M.S. Indefatigable, Urchin and Wizard had to be severely modified because of the bad weather experienced during the first two days. It was intended to fly about 50 aircraft in close formation over Wellington on Tuesday afternoon, but clouds were down to 800 feet in the morning and the plan had to be abandoned. Instead the 16 aircraft intended to make a goodwill tour of New Zealand air stations took off to fly first over Wellington, dropping leaflets. However, only 14 made flights, as one Firefly had •trouble with its undercarriage and another stood by the defective machine, ■which, made a crash landing on the deck and was considerably damaged, but neither the pilot nor observer was hurt.

The take-off had occupied six minutes but this was declared to be not fast time. A really good time, as in a "practical hurry" in the Pacific, had been 16 Seafires, six Fireflys, and 10 Avengers taking off in 9 minutes 40 seconds and they flew on later in 21 minutes-20 seconds.

When the defective Firefly came in, she was hooked by the third arrester ■wire and banged down on the deck and the undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft slid to the edge of the deck and was held there by the arrester gear with a splintered propellor and wrecked port wing. Flying' men told reporters "That's not at all desired but it happens. No one's hurt but evidently you're much astonished."

The weather yesterday, with wind and pouring rain, resulted in the flying programme and gunnery exercises being' postponed and the ships being anchored in Pelorous Sound. It had been intended to carry out landing exercises for the Marines with the carrier's amphibious tanks, "ducks" and other equipment but these were also deferred.

To-day the ships are scheduled to carry out a revised and full programme in Cook Strait. To-morrow will be spent at anchor in Queen Charlotte Sound and there will be exercises in the open sea on Saturday. Visitors' day at Ficton will be observed on Sunday. . , -