MILSON ’DROME

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 269, 16 November 1934, Page 8

MILSON ’DROME

Another Busy Day At Manawatu's Airport MILES HAWK DEPARTS FOR HAWKE’S BAY With departures and arrivals, there was much activity at the Milson aerodrome yesterday. There were at least 17 'planes quartered there for Wednesday night, the majority of these making an early departure for the Hastings aerodrome, where tho Hawke’s Bay Aero Club was conducting a special gala pageant in honour of New Zealand Centenary Air Race fliers. Among the other 'planes -which left the ’drome were the threo Air Force machines, which were returning to their South Island base, also ZK-AAA for Blenheim, and ZK-ACM for Auckland, the last-named machine, piloted by Mr E. Harvic, of Auckland, being expected back later with parts required for the D.II. Dragon Eapide. Shortly after the departure of the north-bound machine, the now famous Manawatu Miles Hawk, whoso trip from Wellington to Milson occupied only 32 minutes, was wheeled out of tho hangar, the compass having been adjusted and the motor warmed up. Squadron-Leader McGregor and Mr H. C. Walker took their scats. After a short run -tho ’plane was back in her natural element and gained height rapidly. Her pilot dived her across the aerodrome, zoomed over the hangar, banked, and she was away on her course to Hastings, rapidly disappearing in the distance. A few minutes before the Miles Hawk departed, the Auckland Puss Moth, ZK-ACB, took the air with Squadron-Leader J. D. Ilewett and Flying-Officer Kay as passengers, and she also headed away for Hastings. Trans-Tasman Machine May Leave for Auckland To-day No time was lost in commencing the work of repairing tho D.H. Dragon Rapide, which was superficially damaged during the night landing at Milson, and there is a possibility that the golden ’plane will again bo in tho air this afternoon. Squadron-Leader Howett and Flying-Officer Kay are expected to return from Hastings this morning, and if the damage to tho ’plane has been made good, they will probably fly to Auckland this afternoon. Mr L. Mangham has been in charge of -the preliminary work at Milson and two ground engineers from Auckland flew down yesterday to continue the work last night. It was stated that the engineers considered they had a fair chance of getting through with the job by mid-day to-day or early in the afternoon, in which chse Ilewett and Kay will take off in the D.H. Dragon Rapide for Auckland without further delay.