Superb Wigram flying display

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33254, 18 June 1973, Page 12

Superb Wigram flying display

A superb flying display which featured virtually all the modem aircraft used by the Royal New Zealand Air Force was watched by a crowd of 15,000 to ,20,000 who braved the chill of a raw winter’s afternoon at Wigram on Saturday.

The 90-minute display was part of a special open day at Wigram to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the formation of the New Zealand Permanent Air Force.

It was also watched by the Minister of Defence (Mr Faulkner), the Chief of Defence Staff (LieutenantGeneral R. J. H. Webb), the Chief of Naval Staff (RearAdmiral E. C. Thome), Sir Leonard Isitt, who commanded Wigram when the N.Z.P.A.F. was first formed, and the Chief of Air Staff (Air Vice-Marshal D. F. St George). Crowd numbers were steady from 10 a.m. onwards, viewing the many static displays, hangars, and workshops. But the flying display brought the public out in droves from 1 p.m. on, when more than 1000 cars filled the car park and hundreds more were lined about the perimeter of the airfield. SKYHAWK EXCITING

Led by Squadron Leader H. Dyer, the display began impressively with a formation of 17 Harvards, forming the number 50. The solo aircraft which followed the Harvard formation —a Skyhawk screaming low across the airfield at more than 550 m.p.h., flown by Flight Lieutenant R. J. Boyce (Blenheim) —probably excited the crowd more than anything else during the afternoon. The Skyhawk tore through the sky, twisting and turning in an impressive display of manoeuvrability and handling, to finish with a near-vertical climb to 37,000 ft in a matter of minutes.

Hardly had it vanished in the clouds when 16 parachutists leaped from a Dakota to plummet down 1000 ft to a “soft” landing on the muddy airfield grass just in front of the crowd. Among the jumpers were two Singaporean commandos and two men from the Malaysian Special Forces. At the end of the flying display, five men made a delayed drop from the Dakota at 8000 ft, which they were unable to do earlier because of low cloud. HELICOPTER “WALTZ” Then came two Sioux helicopters to “waltz” to the music of “The Blue Danube.” Piloting the helicopters were two instructors from the Pilot Training School.

Four Strikemasters — the

newest aircraft in the R.N.Z.A.F.’s range—in a formation led by Squadron Leader J. S. Hosie were put through their paces, while a solo Strikemaster made a series of steep dives, near-vertical climbs, rolls, and some fast turns within the boundary of the airfield. A diminutive Hamiltonbuilt Air Tourer, flown by Flight Lieutenant J. Wolford, a former Skvhawk pilot, gave a flawless handling display as did an Orion maritime reconnaissance aircraft from No. 5 Squadron, Auckland, which diverted from routine patrol duty to put in an appearance at the display. The Orion is capable of flying, on a full fuel load, more than 4500 nautical miles — the equivalent of the distance from Auckland to Singapore non-stop. The commanding officer of the Central Flying School (Squadron Leader D. Smith) then showed the capabilities of an Iroquois helicopter which included winching up an “injured” man and also a fuel load. “RED CHEQUERS” For the finale, it was appropriate that pride of place was given to the “Red Chequers” Harvard aerobatic team, which although not as spectacular as the Skyhawk gave a flawless exhibition of formation flying—including loops, slow turns, bombbursts, horizontal eights, and the spectacular “thread the needle.”