USE OF MOSQUITO AIRCRAFT

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25609, 25 September 1948, Page 6

USE OF MOSQUITO AIRCRAFT

EQUIPPING R.N.Z.A.F. SQUADRONS

THREE-YEAR PROGRAMME PROPOSED From Our Own Reporter WELLINGTON, Sept. 24. Eighty Mosquito Mark VI aircraft bought from the Royal Air , Force by the New Zealand Government at a total cost of £690,000 will be used progressively to equip the three regular squadrons of the Royal New Zealand Air Force during the next three years as and when the manning situation permits. This information was given by the Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones) to-night when replying tp questions asked by' “The Press” about the Government’s air defence policy. Mr Jones also revealed that Lockheed Hudson aircraft are being withdrawn from service from the Royal ' New Zealand Air Force because of the shortage of spare parts and the difficulty of maintenance.

“The 80 Mosquito Mark VI aircraft have been bought from the Royal Air Force at £3OOO each, and this purchase includes about 30 new aircraft,” said Mr Jones. “The total cost of £690,000 includes the*total cost of delivery charges, and of engine and other spares, a part of which is not expended. “These aircraft arc required to arm the three regular squadrons of the R.N.Z.A.F. during the next three to four years, and to act as a mobilisation reserve for the equipment of the Air Force in an emergency. The numbers obtained necessarily include requirements to meet the expansion of the Air Force during this period and normal wastage rates. “The bulk of these aircraft are in storage at the various Air Force stations. They will be used progressively to equip the regular squadrons during the next three years as and when the manning situation permits. The Royal New Zealand Air Force was fortunate to secure these Mosquito aircraft which are a type used in the first-line squadrons overseas and likely to be used for some time yet. Post-war Plan “The post-war Air Force plan provides for two general reconnaissance squadrons, one fighter-bomber squadron, a flying-boat squadron, and a transport squadron, all of which will be Regular Air Force units together with five Territorial Air Force units and a reserve,” continued Mr Jone®. “At the present time the regular squadrons comprise a transport squadron equipped with Dakotas, a «y--ing-boat unit equipped with Catahnas, a bomber squadron (No. 75)' equipped with eight Mosquitos and a fighter squadron at present in Japan. inis squadron will shortly be re-equipped with Mosquitos in New Zealand as a fighter-bomber unit. It will not be equipped with the Mustang fighters stored at Ardmore, as there are not enough of these. “The Lockheed Hudson aircraft which gave excellent service during the war on bomber and reconnaissance duties in the South Pacific are being wtihdrawn from service and will be maintained for some time in a stored reserve condition as an emergency reserve. They had been used until recently both for air-sea rescue work and navigation training, but the shortage of spares and the number of man hours involved in the maintenance of this type, which is relatively high, necessitates this action. They will be stored partly at Taieri and partly at Nelson. The duties previously undertaken by Hudsons will be carried out by Catalinas for air-sea rescue work and Anson aircraft for navigation training.

“The territorial organisation is proceeding and it is likely that training will start this summer. The aircraft to be used by the territorial squadrons will be Harvards and Moths. The emphasis at the moment, and for the next few years will be on the various training schemes at the technical training and flying schools, the product of which is required for the manning of the regular unfits.”