AERIAL PAGEANT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 81, 4 March 1935, Page 2

AERIAL PAGEANT

EVENTS AT MASTERTON. Per Press Association. MASTERTON, 'March' 3. The official North Island air pageant, held by the Wairarapa and Ruahine Aero Clubs at the Hood aerodrome yesterday, attracted 40 ’planes, including five Defence Department machines, from all parts of New Zealand. Weather conditions were almost ideal and the pageant was considered the most successful yet held in the Dominion, the standard of performance being high. Oidy one minor mishap occurred, when a Southland ’plane, piloted by A. P. Finlayson, touched the ground with one wing when it, was landing. The damage was not serious, but the ’plane had to be dismantled. The pilot was not injured. A feature was air drill and formation flying by the New Zealand Air Force, controlled by wireless from the 1 ground. Another interesting item was a mock encounter between a territorial ma-chine-gun party, supported by a defending ’plane, and attacking aircraft. Flying-Officer Frazer made several successful parachute descents. Results were:—

Gloucester trophy (navigational test). —Flight-Lieut. E. S. Olsen (Otarjo), 147 points, 1; Flying-Officer J. Keith (Western Federated . Club), 103 points, 2; E. F. Harvey (Auckland), 88 points, 3. Herald Cup (navigation test for club-trained endorsed A pilots).—R. A. Armstrong (Hawke’s Bay) 1, J. H. Preston (Wairarapa) 2, Major R. L. McGaffin (Manawatu) 3. Aerobatics (non-professional B or endorsed A pilots).—R. F. Taffenden (Auckland) 1, A. W. Buchanan (Wairara.pa) 2, E. A. Barker (Hawke’s Bay) 3. Aerobatics (professional pilots).— Fivght-Lieut. D. M. Allen (Auckland) 1, Flight-Lieut. A. S. Gerrand (Hawke’s Bay) 2, Flying-Officer J. M. Buckeridge (Wairarapa) 3. Banking.—J. C. Tait (North Otago) 1, J. Y. A. Reid (Waira.rapa) 2. 0. R. Franklyn (Western Federated) 3.