AIR RACE TO HAREWOOD

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26857, 9 October 1952, Page 8

AIR RACE TO HAREWOOD

POSSIBLE R.N.Z.A.F. ENTRY CONSIDERATION BY GOVERNMENT An early decision is expected to be made by the Government on the proposal that the Royal New Zealand Air Force should enter an aircraft in the transport handicap section of the England to Christchurch international air race in October next year. The proposal was reported three weeks ago to be before the Cabinet. If the Royal New Zealand Air Force is authorised to enter the race, the aircraft likely to be selected will be a Handley Page Hastings four-engined military transport. Aircraft of this type are being used to re-equip No. 41 (Transport) Squadron, and pilots are already familiar with the route between England and New Zealand as they have brought aircraft out to Auckland, and flown members of No. 14 (Fighter) Squadron to Nicosia, capital of Cyprus. . Early in August a Hastings flew non-stop to Australia and back, in less than 12 hours, the distance flown being 2700 miles. The aircraft was flown from the R.N.Z.A.F. station at Whenuapai to Williamstown airfield, near Newcastle, and back. The flight was announced as a proving flight for longrange flying by the Hastings. Squadron Leader R. B. Watson, officer commanding No. 41 Squadron, was captain of the aircraft, and his coDilot .was Group Captain R. Webb, commanding officer at Whenuapai. The Hastings left Whenuapai with a double crew of eight men at 5.18 a.m. and returned to its base about 4.30 p.m. It flew at an average speed of 250 miles an hour and cruised at a height of 9000 feet. The Hastings has a maximum range of 4250 miles, and its maximum speed is 348 miles an hour at 22,200 feet. Its cruising speeds at different heights range from 291 to 302 miles an hour.

CONTROL OF RACE

COUNCIL WIDENS ITS SCOPE MEMBERS IN NORTH ISLAND Although the international air race from England to Christchurch in October next year will finish at Harewood, the project is regarded as one of national concern in New Zealand by the Canterbury International Air Race Council. More than half the members of the council come from outside Christchurch, and membership is being widened to include representatives of other centres so that their interest in the race will be strengthened and their financial support can be obtained. Palmerston North is now represented on the council by Mr E. West, who is an architect and a past president of the Middle Districts Aero Club. Members in Auckland include Mr John Seabrook, who is a director of the National Airways Corporation, Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park, who retired some time ago after a distinguished career in the Royal Air Force, and Mr Leo White, well known throughout New Zealand as an aviation writer and photographer.

Other North Island members of the council are the Mayor of Hastings (Mr R. D. Brown), Mr N. R. Bam, of Wanganui, who is a vice-president of the Royal New Zealand Aero Club, Sir Charles Norwood, of Wellington, and the Mayor of Wellington (Mr R. L. Macalister). In the South Island members outside Christchurch include Mr N. M. McLaren, of Nelson, senior vicepresident of the Royal New Zealand Aero Club, the Mayor of Timaru (Mr W. L. Richards), Dr. W. G. Todd, of Ashburton, who is president of the Canterbury Aero Club Mr C. V. Smith, a well known Dunedin businessman, Mr W. G. Tweedy, of Timaru, and Mr D. H. Cockburn, president of the South Island Local Bodies’ Association.

Two members of the Government, the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) and the Minister of Defence (Mr T. L. Macdonald) have accepted invitations to join the council, and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) is also a member. Other members in Wellington are Sir Leonard Isitt, chairman of Tasman Empire Airways and the National Airways Corporation, the Air Secretary (Mr T. A. Barrow), and the Director of Civil Aviation (Mr E. A. Gibson).