BRITISH AIR PILOT FOR NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 95, 16 January 1939, Page 13

BRITISH AIR PILOT FOR NEW ZEALAND

Instructed Civil Air Guard

Recruits

Dominion Special Service.

AUCKLAND, January 15.

The view that British aeroplane manufacturers for the first time were making an endeavour to compete in the world market for high-class luxury airliners was expressed by Mr. C. Macdonald, who, after five years of commercial flying in Britain, arrived by the Rimutaka on Saturday under engagement to Union Airways.

Mr. Macdonald said the new De Havilland 95, and machines being developed by Handley Page and Fairey concerns, appeared likely to surpass the best American airliners. In military aviation, too, new super British speed fighters for defence purposes were of a very high standard. Equipped with machine-guns in their tails, they had no blind spots, whereas the majority of Continental machines were vulnerable from some angles to high-speed fighters. With these new machines and heavy fortifications, key centres like docks were gradually acquiring formidable defences. The balloon barrage, too, both from a practical point of view and as a moral hazard, was considered to oe very effective.

Born in Queensland, Mr. Macdonald has flown as a pilot for British Airways on Continental routes, both on day and night service, and on night-imril service, he has done more than 1000 hours Press flying for the “Daily Mail.”

During the September crisis, Mr. Macdonald spent several months instructing recruits to the Civil Air Guard for the London Aeroplane Club. The organization, he said, was proving a most valuable source of supply for the Royal Air Force. Enrolment had reached 40,000 and trainees were showing a remarkably high standard of efficiency.