AIR FORCE DAY DISPLAYS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27565, 24 January 1955, Page 3

AIR FORCE DAY DISPLAYS

CHANGE IN POLICY ANNOUNCED

BIG EXHIBITION AT ONE STATION YEAR

Air Force Day this year will demonstrate for the first time the new Royal New Zealand Air Force policy for showing itself to the public. Instead of each station holding its own separate show, there will be one big exhibition on one station each year. The display for 1955 will be held at Ohakea on February 19; in following years stations will take turns as hosts for the annual event.

' The Chief of Air Staff (Air ViceMarshal W. H. Merton), said that in the past Air Force Day had been a local event, when each station every year was “at home” to local citizens, providing in addition a programme of flying within its own resources. “We believe the public prefers to see and assess the equipment of the service as a whole, rather than that of one unit. “Accordingly, Air Force Day will henceforth be a national rather than a local occasion, with a selection of all our aircraft types on show, a different flying station being chosen each year as the venue, so that the public in as many districts as possible may have an opportunity to attend,” said Air ViceMarshal Merton. The first such Air Force Day will be at Ohakea on February 19. By drawing on all squadrons and flying units, it is hoped to demonstrate all aspects of service flying and provide the public with an opportunity to assess the operational efficiency of the Air Force. “The aim of Air Force Day is to demonstrate flying proficiency and the equipment in use in the service: and to let the people of this country see for themselves how the men and women of the Air Force live and work,” said Air Vice-Marshal Merton. “The day should also enable the public to see something of the way in which the R.N.Z.A.F. is training for any tasks that might lie ahead. All those who are interested in the defence of the country are cordially invited to visit R.N.Z.A.F. station, Ohakea, on February 19.” At Ohakea the public will see the Handley-Page Hastings and Bristol Freighters of the Transport Wing; formations of Vampires, Mustangs. Devons, and Harvards, as well as Sunderland, Dakota, Auster and Avenger aircraft. Static displays will include many kinds of service equipment and will show the multitude of i tasks undertaken by Air Force tradesmen.

To assist in entertaining the public the Territorial Air Force Band will play and arrangements have also been made for the Danish gymnastic team, which is visiting New Zealand, to give a demonstration.