AERIAL PAGEANT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20538, 12 April 1930, Page 12

AERIAL PAGEANT.

FUNCTION AT MANGERE.

TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME^

MANY INTERESTING EVENTS.

A VARIETY OF MACHINES,

One of the most important events in tho history of aviation in New Zealand, the Auckland Aero Club's pageant, will be held .'it tho Mangcre aerodrome to-day. Every arrangement has been mado to ensure tho success of the function and a record attendance is expected. Among tho distinguished guests will bo R.earAdmiral Byrd, who will be brought lrom Rotorua by aeroplane, Wing-Commander S. Grant-Dallon, director of Air Services, who will act as one of the judges, and Mr. F. C. Chichester, the famous New Zealand aviator, who arrived by air from Masterton yesterday afternoon in his celebratod Moth, »

Tho first event, the landing competition, will commence at 9 a.m. and will bo followed by the Now Zealand aerial Derby, which is open to pilots who have completed 40 hours' solo work. These two events will occupy the greater part of the morning. Interclub Challenge Trophy. The .programme proper will commence at two o'clock in tho afternoon with the New Zealand Herald interclub challenge trophy race, for which four entries have been received. The competing clubs and representatives are as follows:—Canterbury, Sir. D. E. Grigg; Slarlborough, Sliss P. Bennett; Hawke's Bay and East Coast, Sir. D. H. Newbeginj Auckland, Sir. G. SI. Firth.

The grand parade will then be held and 21 machines will taxi in "line ahead" formation past the spectators. When the leader reaches an appropriate position lie will take off, followed by the others in rapid succession. The machines will ascend in a spiral to a height of about 2000 ft. and will form a circlo through which the leader will dive to make a landing at the aerodrome, the others following in ordor. "Bombing the Baby" should provide amusement. Two, of two machines each will dive in succession and drop bags filled with flour in an endeavour to hit a "baby" car, moving at high speed, about the aerodrome. 'The spectators will take part in tho next event, which will be a height-guess-ing 'competition; A machine, distinguished bv streamers attached to the wings, will take off and when a certain height is reached the pilot will fire Verey lights and drop a parachute. Spectators will be asked to estimate the correct height of the machine, which will be checked by means of an instrument in-tho aeroplane. Bombing Ammunition Dump.

One of the most spectacular events of tho' day will undoubtedly bo bombing tho ammunition dump. News will be received that "enemy" liombcrg, two Fairey 111. F machines from Hobsonville, arc approaching and threo scout machines will take, off to intercept them with machine-gun fire. The bombers will drop bombs on an ammunition dump, which will explode immediately a direct hit is registered. Another thrilling . event will be the parachute descent by Captain Jonnassen, of Thames. He will climb from the cockpit of an aeroplane at about 3000 ft. and will leap in full view of tho spectators. .An exhibition of formation flying will follow. Machines will take off in flights of three, each flight, moving in arrowhead formation. TIIO leading flight willcarry out various manoeuvres, the others following in line-ahead. The programme will conclude with the balloon "strafing competition, in which pilots will bo called upon to drive their machines at. hydro-gen-filled balloons released from the aerodrome. Between events various displays, such as crazy flying, "stunting" and "dogfights," will be presented and each will be announced and explained by means of loud-speakers. The well-known war pilot Captain M. C. McGregor will give an exhibition of upside-down flying, which is of interest, as this "stunt" has not previously been performed in Auckland. Many Types of Machines. The machines competing aro of many types, including Gypsy Moths, a HermesSpartan, a Service Moth, a Gypsy Moth all-metal coupe, au Avro-Avian, two Fairey 111, F's and a D.H.50. The machines vary considerably in speed and size and the public will be able to see some types not widely known in Auckland. Even if-the weather is wet tho pageant will bo held, as tho rain has but little effect on the pilots and their machines. A cablegram has been received by the Auckland Club from Flying-Officer C. Kay, the noted airman, wishing tho function every success and similar expressions are contained in telegrams from thoPrime Minister and members of the Cabinet. Special arrangements have been made for tho transport of visitors from the city to tho aerodrome and an adequate bus service has been provided. As there will bo a large number of private motorcars special parking arrangements have been finalised and no unduo congestion is anticipated. . A flight by eight aeroplanes, six of which will take part in the aerial pageant at Mangero to-day,' was made over the city yesterday afternoon. The pilots were Mr. F. R. Dix, of Marlborough; Captain ,T. Mercer, of Christchurch; Mr. D. Mill, of Auckland ;. Mr. G, M. Firt.li,-Flying-Officer D. M. Allan, Captain J. Senbrook and Captain \V'. S. R. I3loomfi<ild, of the Auckland Aero Club; and Mr. Lan Horfon, who was in tho Herald and Weekly News Moth.

Lieutenant Keith, of Masterton, Mr. F. 0. Olson, of Hawke's Bay, and Mr. Lan Keith and Mr. Neilson, instructor and secretary respectively of the New Plymouth Aero Club, arrived in Auckland by air yesterday to attend tlio pageant. Captain Short will leave Gisborno at daybreak to-day, lo bo present at the pageant.