RARE DISPLAY

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 138, 8 December 1945, Page 9

RARE DISPLAY

SEAFIRES BEAT UP ARDMORE P.A. AUCKLAND, This Day. The first modern British aircraft to visit Auckland, Seafires from the air-craft-carrier Indefatigable, announced their own arrival in no uncertain manner by giving the R.N.Z.A.F. station at Ardmore a rare exhibition of precision flying this afternoon. With I the Seafires were four Fireflys and also four Avengers, Pilots of the R.N.Z.A.F. squadron assembling at Ardmore to move next! year to Japan as part of the occupying force, and practically every member of the ground staff who could be spared from duty saw the first British fighters operational in the Second World War that have come to New Zealand. They watched with amazement while Seafire pilots demonstrated the amazing manoeuvrability and climbing-power of the sea-going version of the famous Spitfire, and heard for the first time the welcome note of a dozen Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. After landing the visiting party, led by Commander N. Hallet, D.S.C. and bar. R.N.. was welcomed by the station commander, Wing Commander R. Webb, D.5.0., D.F.C., and his officers. The visitors will remain at Ardmore for the weekend and on Monday morning will fiy over Auckland and land at Whenuapa'i. They will cross the city again in the afternoon pn their way back to Ardmore. and on Tuesday will fly ofT to the carrier.

The Northland branch of the Wellington Returned Services' Association will hold its Christmas club night in St. Anne's Hall on Wednesday. December 12. commencing at 7.45 p.m. On this occasion an invitation is extended to the wives of soldiers.