KUAKA’S’ TRIAL FLIGHT TO AUCKLAND

Northern Advocate, 19 June 1937, Page 5

KUAKA’S’ TRIAL FLIGHT TO AUCKLAND

[Special to “Northern Advocate ” 3 AUCKLAND, This Day.

The Union Airways monoplane Kuaka concluded a successful first test flight from Wellington yesterday afternoon, doing the journey of about 350 miles in 2 hours 16 minutes, although the journey was spread over four hours, stops being made at Palmerston North and New Plymouth. Nine passengers were carried, including two women.

The comfort of the passengers was always maintained in the electricallyheated cabin in high altitudes. At 10,000 feet between Palmertson North and New Plymouth, the machine flew over a layer of cloud, its shadow thrown on the white vapour. Visibility was exceptionally good. The machine maintained a speed of nearly 200 miles an hour on the latter, part of the flight. The Kuaka will fly non-stop to Wellington this morning with a party of guests of the company. The return will take place this afternoon.

Conditions were perfect when the Union Airways’ monoplane Kuaka left Mangere aerodrome at 9 o’clock today on a test flight to Wellington. With the morning sunshine gleaming on the silver wingspread, the plane rose rapidly and disappeared in a southerly direction. On the return flight this afternoon, stops will be made at Palmerston North and New Plymouth. Passenger guests of the company today were Air Commodore T. M. Wilkes, Director of Civil Aviation; Dr. M. A. Barnett, of Wellington; Mr F. Maurice Clarke, manager of Union Airways; Mrs Clarke; Mr E. A. Gibson, aerodrome engineer to the Public Works Department; and three Press representatives.

The plane was in charge of the company’s chief pilot, Commander B. A. Blythe, with Commander C. M. Duthie as co-pilot. Completing her journey from Auckland to Wellington in just over two hours, the Union Airways monoplane Kuaka, equalled the flying record for the distance today.