DELAYED DROP BY PARACHUTE

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28425, 4 November 1957, Page 12

DELAYED DROP BY PARACHUTE

Demonstration At Ashburton

A “free” drop in which the parachutist after jumping from a height of 4000 feet. plummeted earthwards at a speed of more than 100 miles an hour before opening his parachute 2000 ft from the ground was the outstanding attraction at a spectacular parachuting display and field day held at the Ashburton airport yesterday afternoon. Eleven aircraft took part in the display, which was organised and conducted by the Christchurch Parachute Club and the Mid-Canterbury branch of the Canterbury Aerd Club.

The display was held in fine conditions after overnight rain, with a fairly stiff easterly wind blowing for much of the afternoon. It attracted a large attendance of more than 5000 persons. About 1000 cars—more than 700 accommodated in the airfield enclosure —travelled to the airport in a steady stream which began before mid-day. Solo, formation, and free jumps were staged during the afternoon The parachutists, making their descents from far to the east of the airfield, were carried across by the wind to near the western boundary. . u The first jump was made by Miss Valerie Lowen, the only active woman parachutist in Canterbury. who has made more than 20 descents. In the free drop, the parachutist. opening his parachute after falling 2000 feet, drifted across the field near the control tower and narrowly escaped serious injury when he hit a wire line, breaking it. just before landing. The rate of descent was nearly 15 feet a second, and the parachutist struck the wire within two feet of a solid wooden post. Mock Rescue Of considerable interest was a mock rescue, demonstrating the speed and efficiency with which medical assistance can be rendered in remote or inaccessible areas Two parachutists, together with a supply drop of a canister containing medical equipment, were dropped into the area where medical “assistance” was required A demonstration of aerobatics by a glider attracted much interest. and other features of the field day were aerobatics, a pupil and pilot demonstration. joy rides, demonstrations of model aeroplanes, both control-line and radio-controlled models, and a lolly ; scramble for children.

Because unsettled weather has delayed shearing, the offering of wool at the opening Auckland sale next Friday will fall short of the estimated 30,000-bale catalogue by about 1500 bales. The catalogue will comprise 28,503 bales of greasy wool and 124 bales of scoured wool.—(P.A.)