FLIGHT FROM INDIA

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 39, 15 August 1945, Page 6

FLIGHT FROM INDIA

MOSQUITO FOR EXHIBITION j By courtesy of Air Marshal Sir Keith Park, Cpmmander-in-Chief for Air, South-east Asia, two New Zealand airmen are flying a Mosquito of the latest operational'type from- India for exhibition in New Zealand. It is the first flight made by a fighter aircraft from India to New Zealand, and the journey, of 8000 miles, is mostly across water. The plane is expected to arrive in a few days. The airmen making the flight have both brought distinction to * the R.N.Z.A.F. The pilot, Squadron Leader K. O. S. Newman, D.F.C., and Bar.; of Broadwood, Hokianga, North Auckland, has given outstanding service on photographic duties in the South-east Asia Command, and he has as navigator on this trip Wing Commander T. de Lange, D.F.C., of Auckland. As R.N.Z.A.F. liaison officer in the Southeast Asia Command, Wing Commander de Lange flew 25,000 miles recently to acquaint himself with New Zealand personnel and conditions on the Burma front, and he is returning for discussions with the R.N.Z.A.F. The two airmen will be away from their command for about a month. A twin-engined high performance monoplane built of wood, the Mosquito is the fastest aircraft of its type in operational service in the world, and its unusual qualities have proved it invaluable on a variety of missions. Bombing raids on Berlin were among their particularly successful assignments, and their long-range fighter and reconnaissance patrols v/ere remarkable achievements. The flying characteristics of the Mosquito demand particular aerodrome facilities, and it will be able to land only at Whenuapai, Ardmore, Ohakea, Woodbourne, and Wigram. The public will be able either to see the landings or to inspect the aircraft at those stations, and a flying itinerary has been arranged to include all the main cities and towns from North Auckland to Invercargill. It is a comprehensive programme, and the machine will be taken over each centre first at 2000 feet and then at 1000 feet.