BOMBERS FOR NEW ZEALAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 30 June 1939, Page 3

BOMBERS FOR NEW ZEALAND

PROBABLE FLIGHT FROM BRITAIN TRAINING FOR PILOTS I United Press Association) AUCKLAND, 29th June. Thirty Vickers Wellington long-range bombers, which are to be delivered by air to New Zealand, will probably leave Britain in five batches, between October next and the following April, according to advice received in Auckland. Outstanding among big bombers, the Vickers Wellingtons are built on the geodetic system of construction, which yields a specially low structure weight and so enables an unusually large load Ito be carried. With a heavy load of bombs they carry enough fuel for a non-stop flight of 3250 miles. A course of training has been ar- j ranged for pilots who are to fly the j craft from England to Auckland, and | it is understood that the Air Ministry in London has arranged to transfer from the Royal Air Force to such training flights any New Zealand pilots who are willing to take service under the New Zealand Government. This is stated to apply not only to officers at present holding short or medium service commissions in the service, but also to those New Zealanders who have completed their term and are now on the reserve. In addition, New Zealanders holding the rank of airman pilot in the Royal Air Force are eligible, and, if selected, they will be commissioned as pilot officers before leaving for the Dominion.

Those who undertake this duty will be required to engage as short service officers in the Royal New Zealand Air Force and to serve five years in regular units and five years in the reserve. The Air Ministry in London, it is stated, has stipulated that New Zealanders who volunteer for this service must have had two years in the Royal Air Force and must not be older than 28, though the age limit may be raised, in special cases. On selection for transfer to the New Zealand Force, they are to undergo at least three months’ training before their departure.