Big U.S. Transport To Visit Harewood

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30803, 15 July 1965, Page 16

Big U.S. Transport To Visit Harewood

The most modern long-range, jet transport aircraft used by the United States Air Force—the Lockheed Cl4l Starliftdr—will be seen at Christchurch Airport, probably in November.

The commander of the United States Air Force detachment to the United States Navy Antarctic support force (Lieutenant Colonel R. D. Coffee) said in Christchurch last' evening that the Starlifter might fly to McMurdo Station. “This flight to the ice was being considered by the planning people back in Washington, but nothing definite has been agreed bn, so far as 1 know,” said Colonel Coffee. Although he has not flown in a Starlifter he said he had “been over” one. “It’s one hell of a plane and has a tremendous performance,” he said. “It has a gross weight of 372,0001 b and can take off in 5000 ft, cljmbing to an initial altitude of 35,000 ft. It has a crew of four and can carry 154 soldiers or 123 fully equipped combat troops,” he said. Colonel Coffee said the 1501st Air Training Wing no longer had any military Boeings. These were being replaced bv the Starlifters. The Air Force detachment for the coming Antarctic season will probably be the smallest it has ever been. There will be three Hercules aircraft and about 130 men. A maximum of 17 return flights to the Antarctic will be made in November. The first of the Hercules will arrive at Christchurch about October 22 and the last on October 28. Colonel Coffee said this season would be the last in which the Air Force would carry out

its support role. “As from the 1966-67 season the Naval Air Transport Wing (Pacific) operating from Moffat field, California, will take over the mission.”

Then there will only be seven Air Force men at the Christchurch base carrying

out administrative and supply duties. Colonel Coffee arrived in Christchurch yesterday as the aircraft commander of the Hercules flight from Avalon, Australia. This aircraft will leave for the United States tomorrow.

Car Capsizes.—A car turned over in Lake Terrace road after skidding on ice about 8 p.m. It came to rest on the roof, with the lights still on. The driver was not hurt.