FIRST AIR PAGEANT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 6, 7 December 1931, Page 9

FIRST AIR PAGEANT

OPENING OF AERODROME FIFTEEN ’PLANES PBESENT Fifteen ’planes making their way across the sky at intervals, and sometimes with half a dozen machines aloft at once, provided a thrilling spectacle of flying skill and evolutions at the Milson aerodrome on Saturday afternoon, when the official opening was celebrated with an air pageant, the first to be held at this centre. ’Planes arrived at Palmerston North from north, south, east and west to compete in a flying carnival which was favoured by warm summer weather. There was a slight easterly breeze sweeping across the field.

The pageant drew a crowd of several thousand spectators who thronged the edge of the flying area, and the aviation enthusiasts were so numerous that some difficulty was experienced in keeping them at a safe distance from the machines, with their whirling propellers. Under pressure the front section of the crowd constantly infringed on the landing area. five policemen, mounted territorial volunteers and a cordon of Scouts were kept busy in restraining them from encroaching upon the danger zone in their exuberance. The aerodrome was surrounded by thousands of cars, many country visitors having travelled a considerable distance to witness the pageant. ARRIVAL OF MACHINES.

Prior to the commencement of the events, the machines, standing in line, presented a glittering spectacle of graoe and power. Sir Bruce and Lady Stewart arrived from Christchurch in a. smart blue cabined Puss Moth monoplane, the only machine of its type on the field. They left later in the afternoon for Wellington. Miss Jane Winstone, who has the distinction of being New Zealand’s youngest lady pilot, flew from Wanganui and was cordially welcomed. Mr and Mrs D. G. M. Goodwin came from Wellington in a powerful green AvroAvian sports model of the type which made the first trans-Tasman solo flight. Interest centred round the well-equipped Bristol fighter piloted by Flight-Lieutenant S. Burrell and loaned for the occasion by the New Zealand Air Force. This powerful and heavy machine, engined with 12 cylinders capable of developing 275 horse-power and diving at 130 to 200 miles an hour, was a feature of the display. It carried service equipment and. an observer. Mr H. Armstrong (Akitio) was present with a standard Gipsy Moth. Swift Spartan machines were piloted by Major McGregor, Mr B. Boys (Hawke’s Bay) and Mr C. M. Duthie (Wellington). Other ’planes were two from the Wairarapa Club (Mr K. S. McMaster and Mr A. V. Jury), two from the Hawke’s Bay Club (Captain Gould, instructor, of Hastings), three other machines from Wellington, piloted by Messrs E. J. Scotland, E. J. Lloyd and S. Meachem, and Western Federation machines in charge of Lieutenant lan Keith (instructor, New Plymouth), and.Mr K. Holdaway (New Plymouth). Exceptional interest was taken in the competitions throughout the afternoon. Mr K. G. Chamberlain was an energetic secretary for the Manawatu Aero Club, while Major Cowper, the pilot-instructor, was indefatigable in his efforts to make the pageant a ■complete success. The City Band was in attendance, while afternoon tea was served in a spacious marquee. Mr W. A. Waters carried out the duties of radio announcer. City officials and automobile association officers controlled a tremendous volume of motor traffic. DARING STUNT EXPONENT. Major M. MacGregor, the former It.A.F. pilot of war-time service and a daring exponent of stunting, was the star performer. During the afternoon lie gave superb exhibitions of aerobatics. He thrilled the crowd with flying feats at low altitudes and went through a whole repertoire of loops, vertical banking, spins, spirals, full rolls L half-rolls and flying upside down. He handled his Spartan biplane in a masterly manner as he went through breath-taking stunts one after another until the whirling and twisting ’plane banked steeply and came down in a swift rush through the air to go into a series of side-slips and alight gently on the field. Prior to the official opening ceremony, a formation flight in the service shape of a diamond was made by. nine ’planes which flew over the city. Shimmering Gipsy Moths glittered with silver wings in the sun against a blue sky, or were outlined in dark silhouette against a background of clouds. Then in twos and threes they came roaring overhead to turn sharply and float in against the wind, or sideslip down before flattening out for the landing. The aerial manoeuvres were keenly followed. Major T. M. "Wilkes (Director of Air Services) judged the aviation competitions. WELCOME TO VISITORS. Extending a cordial ‘ welcome to those present, Mr D. F. Smillie (president of Milson Aerodrome, Incorporated) commented upon the large gathering and said the interest manifested by tne public was greatly appreciated. He mentioned that apologies for absence had been recoeived from His Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe) the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes), and Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. Mr Smillie stated that he wished to emphasise that the aerodrome was not a commercial concern, but an undertaking commensurate with the civic progress of an advancing district. Palmerston North was situated in and geographically designed to be one of tne leading transport centres of the whole Dominion, and in order to retain that position of prestige must encourage transport by air. It was not a thing of the future, but of the present. The aerodrome was a public institution, but no financial appeal was being made. It had been inaugurated without one penny of capital, but without the co-operation and support of public bodies and business men throughout the district it would have been impossible to have achieved the progress made. Tributes were paid by Mr Smillie to the Palmerston North City Council, the Kairanga County Council and the Rotary Club (the latter having donated the ornamental front entrance) for their practical assistance and he eulogised the services of Mr M. H. Oram as the primary, mover for the establishment of aviation at this centre. Mr Oram said it afforded him great pleasure, as president of the Manawatu Club, to welcome Major T. M. Wilkes and Hon. J. G. Cobbe (Minister of Defence). He stated that the vast crowd present indicated the extent of public interest in aviation, though he had previously been told that he was ten years too soon with his project. He ventured to comment that Palmerston North had only just managed to “save its skin” so far as aviation development was concerned. He stated that the Christmas air mail to be distributed throughout the Dominion on Deoerpber 23 and 24 was being organised largely from Palmerston North, within 1 100 miles of which

was a quarter of the population of New Zealand. AERODROME FACILITIES. From the point of view of aerial transport and defence, Palmerston North occupied a unique position. The aerodrome was only just starting; it was still too email for extensive commercial use. It had the advantage, however, of a natural site which could easily be extended on three sides to provide facilities lor the biggest air machine it would bo necessary to use. It was true that commercial aviation had not made much progress in New Zealand but it had encountered serious obstacles. But for financial stringency and an unfortunate which had happened, commercial aviation and passenger and mail services would have been well established.

The Mayor congratulated the Milson Aerodrome Committee on the energy and enthusiasm they had shown. The City Council, he said, had lent what assistance it could and would continue to do so in the future, within reason', and governed by economic conditions. Tile Mayor paid a tribute to the initiative and enterprice shown by Sir Oram, and said he was agreeably surprised to 'see the fine work which had been accomplished. He hoped that in the future an Amy Johnson or Bert Hinkler would graduate from this centre. Mr Jos Batchelar (chairman of the Kairanga Council) gave an assurance that the County Council would continue, within the limitations of ns finances, its support for the aerodrome, which he wished every future progress. MINISTER’S APPRECIATION. Hon J. G. Cobbe (Minister of Defence) congratulated those concerned upon the fine and safe site secured for the airport. It was generally recognised, he said, that an important centre without an airport was out of date. The excellent flying field at Milson was in keeping with the characteristic enterprise and progress of Palmerston North, it had been said that in the future a city without an airport would he like one without a railway station. There were nine aero clubs now functioning, and lie regretted, as Minister of Defence, that the amount allocated by the Government this year to aviation had had to be reduced, but that should not be interpreted as indicating a lack of appreciation of aviation. It was just a matter of money for the time being. Flying annihilated distance between outflung parts of the Empire and linked up important centres m communication. There were Drakes, Hawkes and Frobishers in the air to-day. Few realised how greatly aviation was going to develop in the future, but it had to come. Mr Cobbe said the gathering of the public was the largest which he had seen on such an occasion. He had great pleasure in declaring the airport officially open. Cheers were given for the Minister. Subsequently complimentary flights were given to official' guests, and there was an almost continuous display of aerobatics. MANAWATU CUP RACE.

The Manawatu Schneider Cup Race, open to approved pilots who had completed fifty hours solo, attracted eight entries. The course was a triangular one over a distance of ten miles, the finish being over the western boundary of the aerodrome.

Captain Gould (pilot-instructor for the Hawke’s Bay Aero Club), Messrs A. Buchanan (Wairarapa), Duthie (Wellington) and R. Linklater (Milson) were the contestants in the first heat. The result was: Captain Gould 1, Mr Duthie 2. They finished c'oso together at about 120 miles an hour over the aerodrome, there being a thrilling duel between the first two ’planes which swept over low down and with wing tips almost touching. The starters in the second heat were Messrs H. Armstrong (Akitio), Goodwin (Wellington), Taylor (Wellington) and Jury (Wairarapa). The result was: Mr Armstrong 1, Mr Jury 2. There was a good finish. The final was a fine race, the winner completing the course in 9min. 55sec. The result was: Mr Armstrong 1, Captain Gould 2. The Bristol fighter (New Zealand Air Fore© ’plane) gave an exhibition of picking up messages, and its fast low swoops at high speed were greatly appreciated. A tape about 15 feet long was held at each end by poles in the middle of the field, with the written message in the centre, and the ’plane came down to within five feet of the ground to collect the paper on a hook suspended from the fuselage. Later the hook fouled the line and was lost, but the airman, undeterred, returned to collect the paper on liis tailskid. It was a finished exhibition.

The All Transport Race was won by Mr Goodwm, and Major Cowper was second.

The height _ estimating competition, created keen interest. Major Cowper climbed to a secret height and then fired a Verey pistol. Eleven people guessed the correct height of 2500 feet and will divide the first prize of £4. They were: J. Bowler (Shannon), L. McKenzie (Milson), W. Eggleton (Bunnythorpe), Mrs H. Waters (Palmerston North), Miss A. J. Cheque (Palmerston North), R. J. Montgomery (Raumai), Mrs McDonald (Palmerston North), P. W. Hynes (Palmerston North), J. Dafter (Rongotea), D. A. Christiansen (Palmerston North) and A. Currie (Palmerston North). Bombing the car by A pilots was a popular competition, the missiles being three lib. flour-bag bombs dropped bv each aeroplane from a height above 200 feet. The competition was won bv Mr Jury (Mastorton). At the conclusion of the display Flight-Lieutenant _ Burrell left for Feilding, where his parents reside. Nine ’planes' remained, and six were housed with folded wings in the hangar. NIGHT FLYING. Subsequently Mr D. Smillie presided over an attendance of officials and pilots at dinner, and later hundreds gathered at the aerodrome, now decorated and illuminated, to watch the night-flying. Red and green lights were affixed to the wings of Major Cowper’s machine, and Major McGregor also took part in the flights in his Spartan. Mounted on a motor lorry, the electric generating plant was brought into commission and four floodlights threw 30,000 candlepower on to the ground. Flights were made by the two ’planes in the! starry sky and those who went up 6aw a glittering spectacle of white lights as they gazed on the city below them.