MEMORABLE LANDING

Grey River Argus, 17 October 1936, Page 7

MEMORABLE LANDING

Huge Cheering Crowd BREAKS THE BARRIERS. (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND. October Ifi. Setting out at dawn from Richmond Aerodrome Sydney, on the last stage of her flight from England to New Zealand, Miss Jean Batten arrived at Mangere Aerodrome at 5.5 p.m., to-day. and she received a magnificent welcome. It was a crowd keyed up to a high pitch of excitement that scanned the southern horizon at Mangore as five o’clock approached, but when, after one or two false alarms, the outline of her monoplane became unmistakable in the distance, the previous excitement was as nothing. Not a soul but was deeply stirred as the smart little machine c’ re^e d about tho aerodrome with its girl pilot visible through the cabin windows, and the moment when, at 5.5 exactly, the monoplane side-slipped into a landing, will remain a memorable one for all present. THE WELCOMING PLANES. Aeroplanes started assembling early in the day. A Canterbury Aero Club moth arrived in the morning, and one of the Auckland Club’s Moths was the next arrival. One of the big Vildebec'ste Eombeis, from Tlobsonvillo Base, danded early in the afternoon, and it was followed by the Western Federated Flying Club’s Moth, from New Plymouth, and a Moth from' the Wellington Club. Meanwhile, another Wildebeeste from Hobsonvillo, had left for New Plymouth to represent the Air Force, should Miss Batten decide to land there, and to render any assistance possible. The Navy was represented by a Walrus Amphibian, from the “Achilles,” which, with a third Villdebeeste machine, circled about the aerodrome during the period] of waiting. The official escort, comprising four ■ Auckland Aero Club Moths, engaged tn formation flying while waiting for Miss Batten, and the crowd was thrilled by aerobatics by the Club’s instructor. A PICTURE OF SPEED.

The silver Percival GuP monoplane looked a picture of speed and grace as it approached the aerodrome with the sun glinting on its wings and fuselaue. It was impossible for the escort to accompany Miss Batten for a great distance, owing to the superior speed of her machine. THE LANDING. As she circled round the aerodrome, Squadron Leader Allen brought a Sports Avion down to show her the landing, and a moment later the monoplane followed, to the accompaniment of cheer after cheer from the huge crowd, which had forgotten all about the traditional New Zealand reserve. The monoplane lifted to clear the crowd at the far side of the aerodrome, and then it side-slipped to the ground, landing into the wind' towards the Club House.

The machine bounced slightly, but the winds were grabbed in a moment by mechanics who were waiting, and the monoplane began to taxi to the dais that had been erected at a slope in front of the Club House. It had hardly gone a yard, however, before the crowd, which had been held behind rope barriers by the police, boke bounds, and began to stream across the ground towards the inehine, which was soon practically surrounded. A track was cleared, and the monoplane ran right up into a roped enclosure at the foot of the dais. jAVIATEIX APPPEARS. Renewed cheers burst from' every mouth as the girl aviator, looking fresh and charming in her white overally and flying helmet, and as well groomed as if she had been for a few minutes’ flight, undid the cockpit cover and waved to the crowd. She was assisted from the aeroplane, and a moment later, she was in the arm's of het father, Mr F. 11. Batten, to the accompaniment of a heartfelt three cheers from the crowd, which plainly showed its relief that its heroine waf at last safe in her native city. Sht was escorted to the dais, where the official welcome was held. There "were assembled the Mayor, Mr Ernest D’avis the Minister of Defence, lion,. F. .Tones (representing the Prime Min ster), Mrs Jones, Rear-Admiral, Hon. E R. Drummond, Squadron Leader Isitt. Mr F. B. Dwyer, of the Interna' Affairs Department, and others.