PRECISION FLYING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 10 December 1945, Page 4

PRECISION FLYING

DISPLAY BY CARRIER PLANES Auckland, Dec.. 8. The first modern British aircraft to visit Auckland. Seafires from the air-craft-carrier Indefatigable, announced their own arrival in no uncertain manner by giving the R.N.Z.A.F. station at Ardmore a rare exhibition of precision flying yesterday afternoon. With the Seafires were four Fireflys and also four Avengers. Pilots of the R.N.Z.A.F. squadron assembling at Ardmore to move next year to Japan as part of the occupying force and practically every member of the ground staff who could be spared from duty saw the first British fighters operational in the Second World War that have come to New Zealand. They watched with amazement while Seafire pilots demonstrated the amazing manoeuvrability and climbing-power oi the sea-going version of the famous Spitfire, and heard for the first time the welcome note of a dozen Rolls-Royce Merlin engines.

After landing, the visiting party, led by Commander N. Hallet, D.S.C. and Bar, R.N., was welcomed by the station commander. Wing Commander R. Webb, D. 5.0., D.F.C. and hit officers. The visitors will remain at Ardmore f or the weeKend and on Monday morning will fly over Auckland and land at Whenupai.