AIR PAGEANT THRILLS: EXCELLENT FLYING DISPLAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22824, 20 December 1948, Page 4

AIR PAGEANT THRILLS: EXCELLENT FLYING DISPLAY

The largest civil air pageant to be seen over Gisborne since prewar days was conducted from Darton Field yesterday when members of the Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay Club entertained several hundred visitors to an excellent display of flying.

Seven aircraft took part in the display. these being two Tiger Moth machines belonging to the Gisborne Aero Club, two privately-owned Tiger Moths, and a Proctor, Avro Tutor and Tiger Moth from the Hawke’s Bay Aero Club.

A formation fly over the town by the local and visiting machines preceded the pageant. Aerial “bombing” with flour bag “bombs,” of a small target in the centre of Darton Field provided a test of skill for both visiting and local pilots. With a direct hit G. Spence. Gisborne, won the contest, with C. James, Gisborne, in second place.

An aerobatic display by Mr. B. Fox, an instructor of the Hawke’s Bay Aero Club, who put a Tiger Moth through practically every possible evolution, provided the crowd with thrills.

The arrival of Father Christmas by air and his subsequent distribution of sweets and presents, was the highlight of the afternoon for the children. Those machines not being used in the display were kept busy during the afternoon taking passengers on sightseeing flights over Gisborne. Members of the Hawke’s Bay club returned to Hastings late yesterday afternoon. They commented favourably on the present state of the Gisborne airfield following the flood last May.