IMPRESSIVE SIZE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 159, 7 June 1939, Page 11

IMPRESSIVE SIZE

HANGARS AND FIELD. MILE-LONG RUNWAY. Tremendous size is the first impression given in an inspection of the Ohakea Air Force station, for tho hangars, the general lay-out, and the flying field, to provide a mile-long runway in any direction on completion, all emphasise the lingo scope of the undertaking. What- will ultimately he a sellcontaincd township is spaced nut in no moan proportions, the various buildings being well apart and a whole street being given over to houses. The two hangars are naturally the major buildings on the station, and the one now practically completed gives the impression that any throe storey building in Palmerston North could he comfortably accommodated in it, TUG DRAINAGE PLAN. About 100 acres of tho flying field are already sown down in grass, the total area being about 500 acres, of which 350 have been levelled. Extensive drainage bad to he undertaken and no fewer than 2-1 miles of drains were laid, these ranging from 4inch to 21 inch pipes. All the drains under tho landing ground discharge into an open drain running round the edge of the area. Although the area was more or less level before any work was undertaken, no less than 200.000 yards of material had to he shifted and crawler tractors with carry-all scoops were brought into use. At present there are three such machines on the ground, now working near the buildings, one having a capacity of J 8 cubic yards and the other pair each 12 cubic yards. Like giant boxes on wheels the carry-alls arc so built that they can he used to skim off any desired depth of earth and also lay it evenly at any depth. After depositing a load they move away, leaving the surface in such a state that it requires no further attention, so fine are the adjustments to which they can he set.