R.N.Z.A.F.’S PART IN TOUR

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27201, 19 November 1953, Page 10

R.N.Z.A.F.’S PART IN TOUR

Aerial Salute During Gothic’s Voyage

FLY-PAST AT OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 18. A formation of Vampire jets of No. 75 (Fighter) Squadron from Qhakea will fly-past when the Queen opens Parliament on January 12. This will be only one of the many roles Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft will play during the Royal tour. Details of other duties were announced by Air Force headquarters in Wellington today. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will be given their first aerial salute from New Zealand before the Royal ship Gothic reaches Fiji. Sunderland flying-boats of No. 5 (Maritime Reconnaissance) Squadron will intercept the Gothic when she is a few days out from Suva.

The squadron is based on Fiji. After intercepting the Gothic the Sunderlands will return to base, but they will be in the air again to share escort duties with the Royal yacht’s escort ship—the New Zealand cruiser Black Prince—for the rest of the Gothic’s trip to Suva.

During the first part of the Gothic’s Tonga-New Zealand voyage, No. 5 Squadron will supplement the Black Prince with patrols.. No. 6 (Maritime) Squadron, based on Hobsonville, and flying Catalinas, will take over No. 5 Squadron’s daily patrols during the last part of the Gothic’s trip to Auckland. As the Gothic sails from Rangitoto Channel to her Auckland berth, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will be saluted by a formation of Vampires from No. 75 Squadron. A formation of Mustang fighter aircraft of the Territorial Air Force will salute the Gothic soon after she leaves Bluff. No. 6 Squadron’s Catalinas will share the Black Prince’s escort duties until the Gothic is handed over to a Royal Australian Navy escort in the Tasman Sea.