DARING DISPLAY BY STUNT FLYING TRIO

Northern Advocate, 30 May 1949, Page 3

DARING DISPLAY BY STUNT FLYING TRIO

AT least 1200 pairs of eyes at the Onerahi Aerodrome, Whangarei, yesterday afternoon watched three young men earning their living in a manner which suggested that living was something they were tired of doing. The trio who put their lives in jeopardy during most of the time from 1.30 to 4 p.m. were Messrs Brian Musson (Auckland), Bill Smith (Gore), and Bill Hewlett (Queenstown). They call themselves “The Flying Kiwis,” and their display yesterdafy was the last of the 27 they have given in New Zealand since March 1. On Friday they leave on the Monowai for a tour of the Australian East Coast.

All ex-RNZAF men, the Kiwis, with their one Tiger Moth, put on a show which was probably unique in Whangarei. Although yesterday morning they had feared that the weather was going to spoil, if not cause the cancellation of, their last display in this country, conditions could hardly have been better for them.

propeller. Having no more places he could go he then climbed back into the cockpit.

During this act Mr Smith wore no safety gear, or, parachute, which would have been useless. The Kiwis next entertained by bursting balloons with the plane. Engaged in a safer job, Mr Smith released the balloons, while Mr Hewlett swung the plane round and tried to burst them. He got all but one, which came (o earth after an elusive flight. Following this Mr Musson made his second parachute jump, again from 2000 ft.

The display was opened by Mr Hewlett in the Tiger Moth. An ex-Air Force pilot, he showed that he had complete mastery over the plane, and knew just how far he could go and still remain alive. LOW AND HIGH FLYING

Probably his most dangerous feat consisted of speeding over the field on one wheel, and dipping the wipg tips so that they just brushed the ground. Had the wing hit anything when in this position Mr Hewlett might not be going to Australia to do the same thing there.

During these performances Miss Howden in the Proctor continued to zoom of)' the ’drome on passenger flights, which were taken by many. When the Tiger Moth was not in the air, doing everything except fly normally, it was b'eing inspected and handled by many on the ground. Two other planes, a Tiger Moth from the Kaitaia Aero Club, and an Av.ster, owned by Mr E. Gray, of Horeke, which paid brief visits to the 'drome, attracted similar interest. Assistance in the running of the display was given by members of the Whangarei Aero Club. Over the loudspeaker the secretary (Mr Bob Warren) explained the "crazy” flying when he could think of suitable words to describe it.

Following some further low-level flying, little of it in level flight, the pilot took his machine to 5000 ft, cut the motor and went into a tail-spin. When about 1500 ft from the ground he started the engine and pulled out. This spin attempted at Rotorua by Mr Smith's brother in another plane. That time the plane spun into the drome. Mr Smith broke his back, but is now recovering.

During the afternoon passenger flights were made in a Proctor machine from the Waikato Aero Club. It was piloted by Miss June Howden, an ex-Ferry Command pilot in England. PARACHUTE DESCENTS One of the main attractions was the parachute jumping by Mr Musson, exRNZAf parachute-packer. Interest quickened when he began strapping on his two chutes, and the plane was surrounded until the take off. Spectators watched intently as the Tiger Moth gained height and all eyes were turned upwards when the engine was idled and the parachutist clambered out on to the wing.

Next thing Mr Musson was on his way down. He dropped swiftly through the air and doubts were just beginning to form in some minds when the pilot chute opened apd then the main parachute blossomed out, checking Mr Musson’s descent with a jerk. " ... Swinging gently from side to side, and manipulating the cords, the parachutist approached the field at a steady pace. When about 15ft from the ground he doubled up. his knees for the bump. As soon as his feet took the impact he rolled over, his chute collapsing beside him. * It was Mr Smith’s turn to demonstrate his daring next. While the pilot flew backwards and forwards about 70ft from the ground his colleague climbed from the front cockpit and down on to the left wheel. He sat there for a while, waving to the crowd, then lowered himself, and, hanging by his hands from the underswung himself to the other wheel. CLIMBED ON COWLING

Not content to let it go at that, however, he hoisted himself up and sat on the engine cowling, his back to the