AUCKLAND AIR BASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20104, 15 November 1928, Page 8

AUCKLAND AIR BASE.

WORK AT lIOBSONVILLE.

MANY BUILDINGS UNDER WAY

FIRST LAND PLANE HANGAR.

WIDE EXPANSE BEING LEVELLED.

Hie air base at Hobsonville is beginning to take shape and over 100 men are now engaged on the site. The first hangar will bo completed this month and flying may commenco in January. Nearly 180 acres wero acquired for the aerodrome and under the direction of the resident engineer, Mr. J. Stokes, the entire con' tour and aspect of tho property have undergone a great change in les3 than four months.

The aerodrome, originally undulating, slopes down to the water's edge opposite Greenhithe. Four motor tractors and three horse teams are operating scoops for levelling the mounds and more than two-thirds of tho work in heavy clay has been done. An area of about 15 acres has already been graded and grassed and it affords a runway which can immediately be used by light planes. Mr. D. Mill's Moth machine has made landings here. On tho main ground where earthwork is proceeding three runways havo been mapped out. These will allow runs of from 700 to 800 yards under all wind conditions. A belt of large macrocarpa trees had to bo removed and the twostorey homestead at present occupied by the commanding officer, Major Isitt, will havo to be demolished to extend the landing space in one direction. When completed this large expanse will slope to the waterfront with a grade of 1 in 100 and it will bo possible to drive a motor-car at 40 miles an hour over any part. Access Roads Provided. Two access roads have been put into the aerodrome from the main metalled road. One terminates at the eight-room house, which is being erected on a bluff facing Auckland. This dwelling will be (Completed within two months and will be occupied by the officer in charge of the base. > The other road leads across a corner of the aerodrome to the excavation •which will hold the seaplane units. About 15,000 yards of spoil have been taken from this clearing and tho site is practically ready for . the foundations of the first of the three seaplane hangars. The flat, is 160 feet square and it will be surfaced with bitumen. There will bo a turntable and manoeuvring space between the hangars and the water. This flat is bounded on the sea side by a wall about 260 feet in length and most of the stone facing has been completed.

Building a Slipway. Within three months a start will probably be made on the slipway. This will extend out for about 280 feet to a point three feet below low water. Piles will be driven to a considerable depth as there is a large expanse of mudflat at low tide. Mooring buoys will be placed off the slipway and a jetty is to be constructed. A speed launch capable of about 30 knots and a utility 10 knots launch will bo included in the equipment of the base. A tractor will be used to draw the seaplanes up the slipway. The hangars to be erected on this section of the aerodrome will be about* 85 feet by 75 feet. Hangars for Machines. A commencement was made yesterday with the roofing of the hangar for land planes. The building is in concrete and its capacity is about six machines. Attached is a dressing room for pilots. This hangar may be used by authorised aero club machines. A start will shortly be made with a duplicate hangar in the same corner of the aerodrome. A transport shed is partly erected and this will accommodate a breakdown truck, a Red Cross vehicle, and othor motor equipment. A small switch house is complete and the 11,000 volt transformer has been installed. A concrete water tower is to be constructed and bores have been sunk to 207 feet and 100 feet for a water supply. The plans provide for three cottages near the water tower, and officers' quarters and tennis courts are included in the lay-out. At present Major Isitt and Corporal Russell are the only members of the air force resident at the base.