EQUIPMENT FOR AIR RACE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27125, 22 August 1953, Page 2

EQUIPMENT FOR AIR RACE

GROUND CONTROL APPROACH R.A.A.F. EXPERTS ARRIVE The installation of special radar ground control approach equipment at Harewood for the London-Christ-church air race is the mission of four members of the Royal Australian Air Force who arrived by Skymaster yesterday. The detachment, from the R.AA.F. School of Radio at Ballarat, comprises Flight Lieutenant K. S. While, Sergeant A. K. Hore, Corporal R. L. Pywell, and Corporal J. Benson. “The equipment, which was recently bought from America, will enable the aeroplanes to land safely even if the cloud is right down to the deck,” said Flight Lieutenant While. “Three million landings have been made with it in Australia without one crash, and 47 aircraft ’that might have crashed have been saved by its use. Australian pilo.ts are particularly pleased with it.”

Describing the equipment as complex, with 2000 valves working at once, he said that four sets bought by Australia for £210,000 each had been in operation for 18 months. The equipment for Harewood would arrive by sea in the Scottish Star soon.

The party is also to set up distance measuring equipment, borrowed from the Australian Civil Aviation Department, which will enable pilots to measure their range up to 300 miles from the airport so that they can lose height gradually. “This will be a great asset, especially if two entrants are flying neck and neck,” said Flight Lieutenant While.

The approach equipment should be ready for operation by September 17. Flight Lieutenant While said that he would be here for only two weeks, but would return to Christchurch in October for the race. The other members of the party would stay to staff the equipment, which he hoped would be used by the Royal New Zealand Air Force until the race. It would be removed about the end of October.

FINISH OF AIR RACE

NAMES OF OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED

One of the most experienced air racing handicappers in the world, Mr F. Rowarth. who has been handicapper for the Royal Aero Club for. many races, will be cheif steward for the finish of the London-Christchurch air race in October. He will come rom England for the finish. Mr Rowarth will be assisted by Mr Piet van Asch, of Hastings, well known as the head of an aerial mapping company, and Mr R. B. Bannerman, of Gore, who was Air Member for Personnel in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War 11. The judges will be Messrs R. J. Dippy, controller of communications, Air Department; D. F. Jenkins, principal communications officer, Air Department; Wing Commander J. R. Maling, of Christchurch, formerly commanding officer of No. 3 (Canterbury) Squadron, Territorial Air Force; and Group Captain G. A. Nicholls, of Gisborne. Other officials are:—

Time-keepers.—Messrs F. W. Thrower, G. Foster, and A. Bullock (Christchurch).

Secretary of the meeting?—Mr S. M. Graham, who is secretary of the Air Race Council. He will be assisted by Mr T. G. Hull, secretary of the Royal New Zealand Aero Club, who will represent the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, and Mr P. Fougere, of Invercargill, secretary of the Southland Aero Club.

Chief ground marshal. —Mr S. Jacobs (Christchurch). Airport manager.—Mr R. W. G. Emery (Christchurch). Air Department observer. —Mr L. F. P. Taylor, Controller of Air Traffic Control, Air Department. • Air-sea Rescue.—Mr L. E. Duke, regional controller at Christchurch Airport. Marshal of light aircraft. —Mr J. D. Neave, chief instructor for the Canterbury Aero Club; assistant, Mr C. Page. Communications marshal.—Squadron Leader A. L. Partelow (Wigram); deputy marshal. Mr F. Broom (Christchurch) . Public address.—Mr E. Peverill (Christchurch). Commentators.—Messrs J. Dunstan and R. Cooney (Christchurch). Reception.—Squadron Leader R. J. N. Archibald (Christchurch). Entertainment.—Mr J. Boyd-Clark (Christchurch). Transport.—Mr S. Cordner (Christchurch). Meteorological services.—Mr J. Hunter; chief meteorological officer at Christchurch Airport. Traffic marshal.—Mr P. Croft (Christchurch). Works marshal.—Mr D. Woods (Christchurch). Publicity officer.—Mr J. M. Caffin (Christchurch).

Parking marshal.—Mr J. K. Palliser (Christchurch).

OFFICIAL FLIGHT COVERS

CARRIAGE BY R.N.Z.A.F. HASTINGS

Official souvenir flight covers will be carried in the London-Christchurch air race by the Handley Page Hastings aircraft entered in the transport handicap section by the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Permission for the Hastings to carry the covers as mail to London and back t<s Harewood as freight has been given by the Air Department. A map of the route that will be followed by the Hastings in the race, with the stopping places, will be on the front of the flight cover. -The route line will run between a picture of St. Paul’s Cathedral at the top and the Christchurch Cathedral at the bottom.

In Christchurch the covers, which will bear New Zealand stamps, will be date-stamped with a special stamp at the Chief Post Office before the Hastings for London early next month. The stamp will include the words “Canterbury International Air Race, Christchurch, New Zealand.” When the Hastings arrives at Harewood covers will be back-stamped with the day and time that it left London Airport and the day and time of its arrival in Christchurch.

On the back of the* cover will be a special cachet with a facsimile of the signature of the captain of the Hastings. Wing Commander R. F. Watson. It will certify that the cover was carried as mail from New Zealand to Britain by the Hastings, and as freight in the race. As the Hastings is expected to leave Auckland for London about September 3. collectors and others interested will have to have their orders for covers nlaoed in Christchurch by August 31. In Christchurch orders for covers will be handled by Mr E. Steel. Peonle in other parts of the Dominion will be able to place orders through the Canterbury International Air Race Council. Profits from the sale of covers will go towards the air race funds.

SPECIAL MAIL ON K.L.M. PLANE

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 21. The Post Office has made arrangements to dispatch a special air mail to Amsterdam by the K.L.M. plane returning to the Netherlands after the London-Christchurch air race, according to an announcement by the Post-master-General (Mr W. J. Broadfoot) today. This mail will carry letters to the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and other European countries, Canada and the United States, and gift parcels from Dutch migrants in New Zealand to their relatives and friends in the Netherlands. A return service for letters is also being provided for the benefit of New Zealand philatelists. Particulars of postages on both letter and parcel mail are being made available at post offices or the Netherlands Legation at Wellington.