AIR PAGEANT

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1935, Page 5

AIR PAGEANT

ROYAL REVIEW BRITAIN’S GREAT SHOW, (United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, July \6. ■Hundreds slept in cars and breakfasted in fields in order to secure good positions for the Air Force review at Mildeuhall aerdrome. It was lighted with floodlights throughout the night, tin-owing into 'relief the gleaming wings of 350 planes.

There was an endless stream of traffic along congested roads until they were cleared for the Royal party, which the Prince of Wales joined at Newmarket,, whither he flew in his own machine. The Queen and Duchess of York, as a graceful compliment, wore drosses of Air Force blue. Crowds lining country lanes cheered the King, who was wearing the blue service uniform- of an Air Marshal. Enthusiasm was tremendous on his arrival at the aerodrome where the Commandev-in-Cbief handed the King a parade tally, showing 397 officers and 1751 other rank s wf Ftp lined ud.

His Majesty, after inspection of the parade, decorated two commanding officers. Loud speakers called for three cheers for the King, when all ranks and spectators enthusiastically responded. The King was in the highest spirits, and continually joked with the officers, and was deeply moved by the cheers. Their Majesties lunched at Dux ford Aerodrome before watching the fly-past. Meanwhile Midenhnll reverberated to the roaring of engines as planes took the air. After luncheon His Majesty inspected new recruits. A minute later, with a low roar, the first planes appeared in perfect formation followed by a seemingly endless procession extending below the horizon. The machines passed the royal dias at a height of eight hundred feet. Varying speed of the planes and bumpiness of the weather emphasised a perfection of organisation, no plane being an inch out of position. The last squadron the “Gloucester Gauntlets” thundered past at a -height- of two thousand feet, nnd thereafter detaching themselves, from the main body, giving a thrilling exhibition of squadron drill, fix in-, wing-tin to wing-tip with incredible accuracy. ,

T\, e entire seventeen squadrons, comprising 155 planes, concluded the display hv changing formation and swoonin,r pest the Rovnl d.iss, which Their Majesties left amidst enthusiastic cheering. and entered a. car for the return to London.