PLANES COMPETE

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 145, 16 March 1931, Page 11

PLANES COMPETE

Pageant at Masterton IDEAL CONDITIONS Wellington Pilots’ Success Dominion Special Service. Masterton, March 15. With 31 aeroplanes aud about 70 pilots competing, the official North Island Air Pageant held at Masterton on Saturday under the control of the Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay Aero Clubs was the biggest display of its kind yet held in the Dominion. Flying conditions were practically ideal, there being a cloudless sky and an almost total absence of wind. The crowd numbered several thousands. Machines of all types were present from the Air Force’s speedy Gloster Grebe single seater (the fastest aeroplane in New Zealand) to a comfortable, three-seater cabin type Moth. The two Hawker Tomtits, the latest additions to the machines of the New Zealand Air Force, attracted great interest. In all, the AirForce had six planes present and a strong contingent of pilots. The various Aero Clubs were well represented, the Auckland club having five machines entered, the Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay and East Coast clubs three each, the Wellington, Western federated and Wairarapa two each, and the Marlborough one. Private owners and firms also had machines entered. Although Air Force officers were prominent and secured several successes, . two of the three chief events for “B pilots were won by club pilots, C. M. Duthie, of Wellington, winning the Herald” Cup, and F. M. Donald, of Welling ton, the landing competition. The turning competition for the Newbigin Cup was won by Flight-Lieiltenant Buckley. Tlie “A” landing competition for the Wigram Cup was won by S. T. Hudson, of Otago. Prior to the official opening of the pageant, the Wairarapa Aero Club s aerodrome was officially named the Hood Aerodrome by Mr. CT. Jordan, Mayor of Masterton. Speaking at the function, the president of the club, Mr. M. L. Free, mentioned that this was the first official air pageant in the North Island under the control of the New- Zealand Aero Club, that it was the first one to be held in the Wairarapa, and that it was a combined effort for the mutual benefit of the Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay clubs. Mr. Free stated that it was the wish of the Wairarapa club that its aerodrome should be named the Hood Aerodrome as a permanent memorial to a gallant pioneer. Speaking to Captain Hood s parents, who were present, Mr. x ree said that he had not died in vain. His name would be an inspiration to future generations of flyers. ' As patron of the Hawke s Bay Aero Club, the Right Hon. J. G. Coates, Leader of the Opposition, thanked the Wairarapa Aero Club for its efforts to carry out the pageant for the benefit of the Hawke’s Bay club. Referring to the courage and spirit shown by tjie people of Hawke’s Bay at the time of the disastrous earthquake, Mr. Coates said that it would not be long before that district would be re-established and grow up stronger than ever. After paying tribute to tlie late Captaiu Hood, he wished the pageant every success. Results of Events The results of the various events decided are as follows: — . . Landiuff Competition. A Pilots, for Wigram Cup. s. T, Hudson (Otago), D. (Hawke’s Bay), H. Gardiner (Wenington), and ID. M. Sayer (Wairarapa). qualified in the eliminating rounds, irtnal. b. 1. Hud son, 1; R. D. Brown, 2; H. Gardiner. 8. Turning Competition. B Pilots, for Newbigin Cup. _ First heat: Fllght-Lieut. G. L. Stedman (Wellington). 1; Flying Oflieor E. G. O 1 sen (Otago). 2. Second heat. 1 lightLieut. M. W. Buckley (N.Z. Air Force). 1, Flight-Lieut. J. C. Mercer (Canterbury). 2. Final: Flight-Lieut. Buckley. 1. 11V; Ing Officer Olsen, 2; ilight-Lieut. Stea man, 3. „ .... Izuidlug Compelition. . B ami Endorsed A Pilots. Squadron-Leader J. L. Findlay \ Air Force). Flight-Lieut. M. W. Buckley (N.Z. Air Force), and F. M. Donald (Wellington) qualified in the eliminating rounds. Final: F. M. Donald 1; SquadronLeader Findlay, 2; Flight-Lieut. Buckley. 3. “New Zealand Herald’’ Cup. Over Courses of 20 to 30 miles. First heat: B. W. Boys (Hawkes Bay). 1- P. C. Lewis (Auckland), 2. Second heat: C. M. Duthie (Wellington). 1: A. V. Jury (Wairarapa). 2. Final: C. M. Duthie, 1; A. V. Jury. 2. Aerobatic CompetitionB and Endorsed A Pilots. D. M. Allan (Auckland), 1. • Transport Race. B and Endorsed A Pilots. In the eliminating rounds SquadronLeader Findlay and R. J. Sinclair (Wairarapa). and Flight-Lieut, J. C. Mercer qualified, winning their respective heats. Final: Squadron-Leader Findlay, 1: it. J. Sinclair, 2; Flight-Lieut. Mercer, 3. Bombing the Baby. B and Endorsed A Pilots. w , Flying Officer D. M. Allan (Auckland), 1* Sauadron-Leader Seabrook (Auckland), 2; Flight-Lieut. G. L. Stedman (Wellington), 3. , Bombing the 1 argot. A Pilots. A. Buchanan (Wairarapa). 1; S. R. Meatcham (Wairarapa). J. Le Quesne (Wairarapa). Napier (Otago), and H. Gardiner (Wellington), equal. 2.