ENGLAND-OHAKEA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 205, 31 July 1939, Page 8

ENGLAND-OHAKEA

FLIGHT TO DOMINION. WELLINGTON BOMBERS. When the six Wellington bomb er aeroplanes, ordered by the Government, set out from England in October, they will in all probability finish their flight at Ohakea, the Royal New Zealand Air Force station which is at present being consolidated. If intentions are adhered to the Palmerston North district will become for the second time in its history the terminus of EnglandNew Zealand flights made by New Zealanders. The first occasion was in 1934, when Messrs J. D. Ilewett and C. E (now Squad-ron-Leader) Kay first spanned the distance. “A great deal depends cn ground conditions at Ohakea,” said Hon. F. Jones (Minister of Aviation), in an interview with the “Evening Standard” on Saturday at the Mil-son Aerodrome, “but I am extremely pleased with the progress being made there, and I think it is very probable the bombers will make the first New Zealand landing there. If it is found that conditions are unsuitable, the flight will probably land at Migrant.” The officers and airmen who arc to form the personnel for the flight in October of the first formation of six Wellington bombers from England to New Zealand began their training at Marham, Norfolk, early this month. Two officers and three men will be allotted to each bomber. Squadron-Leader W. M. Buckley will command the first flight; Squad-ron-Leader C. E Kay will lie second in command and navigating officer. The other New Zealand officers will he Flight-Lieutenant C O. Hunter, Flying-Officer A. B .Greenaway, Fly-ing-Officer A. A. N. B eckon, FlyingOfficer J. N Collins; Pilot-Officer J. Adams, Pilot-Officer W. H. Coleman. Pilot-Officer W. McWilliams, and Pilot-Officer T. O. Freeman. Tim names of Pilot-Officer Lucas and Pilot-Officer N. Williams have yet to he approved. The personnel for the second flight i« to bo assembled on October!. This will bo commanded by SquadronLeader It. J. Cohen. Squadron-Leader. S. Wallingford tvill command the third flight, which is to he formed for training on December 1, and Wing-Commander J. L. Findlay the fourth, which is not to be selected until July 1, 1940, according to present plans. The name of the commanding officer for the fifth and last iligiit lias not yet been announced.