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Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 198, 14 November 1934, Page 9

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AIR RACE PILOTS

MESSES MCGREGOR AND WALKER

The appreciation of the public of Palmerston North and the Manawatu and New Zealanders generally of the recordbreaking flight of Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor and Mr H. C. Walker, the Manawatu pilots in the Centenary Air Race, in which their achievement evoked the admiration of the whole Empire, was shown in unbounded measure to-day when the district’s official welcome home to both airmen took place, at the Milson Aerodrome.,

Thousands flocked from far and near. Palmerston North business people mostly declared a holiday from noon, and there was a tremendous volum e of motor traffic heading for the aerodrome very early this afternoon.

CITY ON HOLIDAY.

With a constant stream of traffic flowing towards the Milson aerodrome long before noon, there were early indications that an enormous crowd would be in attendance, thousands of cars being en route from all parts of the district. Many parties had travelled long distance, coming from Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington centres. It was obvious that the aerodrome would be called upon to accommodate one of the largest crowds and finest assembly of ’planes yet seen at any air pageant in New Zealand.

The city was beflagged in honour of the airmen. Public servants had been granted a half holiday, and though most shops were observing the statutory half-holiday, other premises were closed in compliance with the request of the Mayor. Schools throughout the district were closed for the occasion. Cricket fixtures arranged for this afternoon were postponed on account of the attraction at the aerodrome, and relief workers were allowed the afternoon off in order to attend the pageant. The principal streets of the city will be specially illuminated in honour of the fliers this evening. THE VISITING ’PLANES. ’Planes were arriving steadily at intervals. The first was the Air Force machine, a Gloster Grebe, a fast single-seater of the scout type, piloted by Squadron-Leader Findlay. He swooped down after an exceptionally fast flight of 64 minutes from Blenheim, averaging a speed of 120 miles an hour. With two other Air Force machines, the Bristol fighter, piloted by FlyingOfficer J. J. Busch, _ with Leading Aircraftsman W. Ellis as passenger, and the Hawker Tomtit, piloted by Flight-Lieutenant Somerset - Thomas, who had Aircraftsman It. Wells as passenger, Squadron-Leader Findlay left Wigram aerodrome yesterday afternoon, stopping overnight at Blenheim, after a rough journey from Christchurch. The three planes lert Blenheim together at 9.10 a.m. today, followed a few minutes later by the Marlborough Aero Club s Motli machine, which subsequently landed at Milson. This was piloted by Mr F. His, who had Mr A. Willis as passenger. , Local ’planes on the ground were the Manawatu Aero Club’s two Moth machines, one of which, piloted by Mr A. H Honey field, landed from New 1 lymoutb, and the. other was brought back from Wellington Messrs J. Smillie and It. Tanner after it had conveyed Messrs McGregor and Walker to Wellington when they left Milson at 9.30 a.m. to-day. Other loca 'planes were Mr L. Manghani s monocoupe and Mr L. McGaffin’s AvroAvian sports machine, formerly owned by the late Mr J. K. C. Barnes who was killed in the Centenary An- Race. DISTANCE FLIER PRESENT. Shortly before noon there was a round of applause when Mr S. G.

White, who only reached his home at Havelock North yesterday after flying from England to Australia, landed in liis gleaming red De Havilland sports machine.

Another interesting arrival in a similar ’plane was Sub-Lieutenant Kidstoii, R.N., a brother of the late Mr Glen Kidston, the noted English airman and speed motorist, who was killed in an air crash in South Africa. Four machines, including the Waco, were expected from Wellington, three from Hawke’s Bay, two from the Wairarapa, two from the V estern Flying Federation, and others from various centres, including a Canterbury Aero Club machine piloted by Mr J. C. Mercer, chief instructor, who had Messrs T. Gough and Peacock as passengers. Before noon Squadron-Leader Findlay gave a thrilling display of aerobatics in the Hawker Tomtit machine. Territorial volunteers and members of the Manawatu (“N”) Squadron of the Legion of Frontiersmen were on duty at the aerodrome to assist in controlling the crowd. Members of the local section of the St. John Ambulance Brigade were also oil duty at the grounds. CONTROL OF TRAFFIC. Traffic to the aerodrome was directed via Featlierston and Vogel Streets. There was a small army of controlling officials under Messrs S. Fowler and T. Hastings, with Mr A. Hopwood as chief marshal. Their services were given voluntarily. Patrol officers of the Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, Wanganui and Manawatu Automobile Associations were in attendance oil account of the heavy volume of road traffic. Special parking paddocks were available for cars. Broadcasting facilities for a description of the manoeuvres of the machines were provided by an amplifying apparatus Every precaution had been taken to deal with the enormous crowd expected. Large areas were roped off to keep spectators at a safe distance from the machines, and there was a very efficient general, organisation under the direction of the president of the Manawatu Aero Club and chairman of the

local Centenary Air Race Committee (Mr H. E. Edmunds). Adequate arrangements had been made for catering facilities in the hangar. There were 17 aeroplanes at the aerodrome before two o’clock. Flying conditions were perfect, it being a particularly warm and sunny afternoon. Arrangements had been made-for an escort to go out in squadron formation to meet Messrs McGregor and Walker when the pair landed in their now famous Miles-Hawk monoplane, which was to taxi round the ground to enable the public to view the pilots. Aerobatics, crazy flying and air fight manoeuvres were to constitute the remainder of the afternoon’s programme. Messrs McGregor and Walker start their aerial tour of New Zealand tomorrow with an engagement at Hastings.