CANBERRA JET BOMBERS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27097, 21 July 1953, Page 10

CANBERRA JET BOMBERS

PLANS FOR HAREWOOD VISIT FLIGHT OVER CITY SUGGESTED A display of high-speed formation flying over Christchurch by the three Royal Australian Air Force Canberra jet bombers which will visit the city at the week-end may be given before they return to Australia early next week. The R.A.A.F. will have two Canberras in the London-Christchurch air race in October, and the Canterbury International Air Race Council hopes to arrange for a display by the visiting aircraft. Eleven members of the R.A.A.F. are likely to fly in the three Canberras. During the flights from Laverton, near Melbourne, and Perth, Western Australia, the aircraft will fly at different altitudes to obtain information that will be of use to the crews competing in the air race. The Canberras have already made several flights over long distances in Australia, including one from Laverton to Townsville, Queensland.

No advice has been received of the times when the Canberras will arrive at the Christchurch International Airport. As some of their equipment is still on the secret list, it is improbable that the public will be allowed to inspect them at close range while they are at the airport. Arrangements will probably be made for the aircraft to be guarded by the Royal New Zealand Air Force while they are at Harewood.

Each aircraft will take in 3000 gallons of turbo-jet fuel before leaving on the return flight. The fuel will be supplied by the Christchurch branch of an oil cohipany from an 11,000-gallon storage tank at the airport. Christchurch may see another air race aircraft if arrangements can be made for Mr J. L. Whiteman, who has an entry in the speed section, to come here before he returns to Sydney. After Mr Whiteman flew his Mustang fighter across the Tasman last Friday, and established a new record of 3hr 31mm, he received a telegram of congratulation from ’the Air Race Council. It was suggested that he might be able to fit a visit to Christchurch into his itinerary.