Canberra Bombers For N.Z. Airmen In Malaya

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28434, 14 November 1957, Page 18

Canberra Bombers For N.Z. Airmen In Malaya

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Nov. 13. j New Zealand airmen would be flying Canberra bombers in Malaya from July 1 next, said the Minister of Defence (Mr D. J. Eyre) today. The Canberras for the squadron to be based in New Zealand were expected here late in 1958 or early 1959. The first of the Royal New Zealand Air Force aircrew officers who would man the Canberras for Malaya would leave for the United Kingdom for training on November 19, he said. Five navigators would leave by a Hastings aircraft from Whenuapai on that date. They were, Flight Lieutenants R. C. Macfarlane (New Plymouth), A. R. L. Russell (Auckland). P. Neville (Hampshire), and P. J. Heares (Ohakea), and Flying Officer B. Tennent (Wanganui). They would go to the Royal Air Force station at Lindholme for a four weeks’ course and then to the training station at Bassingbourne for a 16 weeks’ conversion course on Canberras. Altogether 20 officers —10 pilots and 10 navigators—who would be flying Canberras in Malaya by mid-1958, would go to England this year or early next year for the conversion course. One technical officer and 21 key ground staff would also go to England early next year for training on maintenance of Canberras. These men would be from No. 14 Squadron, serving in Malaya as part of the Far East Air Force of the Royal Air Force. Mr Eyre said that No. 14 Squadron’s fighter-ground attack role would be run down and replaced in the light bomber role with the arrival of the Canberras in Malaya.

“It is planned that New Zealand airmen in Malaya will cease operating on Venom single-seater fighters towards the end of June,” he said. Mr Eyre said that the 20 pilots and navigators chosen to go to England for the conversion course were Flight Lieutenants I. M. Gillard (Morrinsville), S. A. Williams (Auckland), R. V. Smith (Oamaru), I. A. Hutchins (Hamilton), J. L. N. Harris (Wellington) and D. M. Crooks (Rangiora), Flying Officers G. E. McLeod (Auckland) and C. C. McAllister (Wellington), Pilot Officers S. E. Gillingham < Gisborne) and R. F. Lawry (Blenheim), all of them pilots; and Flight Lieutenants R. C. Macfarlane (New Plymouth), A. R. L. Russell (Auckland), P. Neville (Hampshire), P. J. Heares (Ohakea) and N. E. Richardson (Dunedin). Flying Officers B. Tennent (Wanganui), D. J. McMahon (Hamilton) and M. D. Peacock (Auckland) and Pilot Officers P. C. Pennell (Cambridge) and B. L. Taylor (Hamilton), all navigators. Their final selection would be subject to their passing certain medical qualifications needed for Canberra crews. All but four of these pilots and navigators are stationed in New Zealand. Four are at present serving in No. 14 Squadron m Singapore. They are Flight Lieutenant Crooks, Flying Officer McAllister, and Pilot Officers Gillingham and Lawry. Mr Eyre said that the remaining pilots at present serving with No. 14 Squadron would be repatriated to New Zealand, where they would be absorbed : nto existing establishments.