Boomerang Flung Into Moving Jet
(N.Z. Press Association—CopyngM)
SYDNEY. May 10 A quick-thinking airpert staff officer with a goad eye and a strong wrist, saved the day for Mrs Dean Rusk, wife of the United States Secretary of State, today, as she was leaving Australia for New Zealand. As the Rusk's jet airliner was preparing to take-off, Mrs Ru‘-k. who was already on board, saw the rest of the party coming from the airport souvenir stoop laden with toy boomerangs, koala bears and kangaroos. She then remembered she had omitted to buy a boomerang as a souvenir. After all of the party had boarded the aircraft and the ramp rolled away, a message reached the cabin that Mrs Rusk had forgotten to buy a boomerang. The message was passed to the airline engineer checking the engines as they warmed up and he passed it on to Staff Officer Peter Shilton, who was standin® on the tarmac. Shilton raced into the souvenir shop. snatched a boomerang from a startled shop assistant and sprinted back to the tarmac.
The jet’s engines were running at full power and he could not get closer than 30 yards from the aircraft. He waved the boomerang
at the ground engineer, who attracted the pilot's attention. A steward appeared at a small door in the aircraft's nose.
The aircraft was moving slowiy, but Shilton steadied himself, took a firm grip and, amid cheers from watchers, threw the boomerang right into the doorway—and it did not come out again. The door slammed and the aircraft taxied out for takeoff as an amazed Mr* Rusk was handed her boomerang. Mr Rusk and the New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) had been attending the two-dny meeting of the AJ4E.UH. Pact Council in Canberra.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CI, Issue 29819, 11 May 1962, Page 15
Word Count
293Boomerang Flung Into Moving Jet Press, Volume CI, Issue 29819, 11 May 1962, Page 15
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