SKILL IN THE AIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21160, 18 April 1932, Page 11

SKILL IN THE AIR.

FINE DISPLAY BY PILOTS.

CONTROL OF THE MACHINES. SERIES OF THRILLING EVENTS. Skill and daring to the highest degree were shown by the pilots at the thrilling aerial exhibition given by the Auckland Aero Club before a large crowd in Alexandra Park on Saturday afternoon. As on the previous Saturday, the number of spectators who took up vantage points on the slopes of One Tree Hill, Mount Eden and Mount St. John, was even greater than those at the park. The amazing manoeuvres of the pilots excited great enthusiasm from the crowd, most of whom had never imagined that such perfect control of the machines was possible.

Flight-Lieutenant D. M. Allan operied the programme with one of the most thrilling events of the afternoon. After warming his engine up, he suddenly swooped down and, after a steep climbing turn, began a series of aerobatics which kept the spectators in constant suspense. To those unacquainted with the technique of flying the manoeuvres were amazing, while by those who realised the extreme difficulty of some of the less spectacular "stunts," Mr. Allan's skill was even more fully appreciated.

A later event of interest was a mock aerial battle between Mr. Allan and Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor. Performing all sorts of difficult manoeuvres in mid-air, each machine sought to get into an advantageous position over the other and, high in the air, the two machines looked like giant dragon-flies in combat. Mr. McGregor finished the manoeuvres with a fast flight round the course, taking the bends at a steep angle. A novel event was the alleged novice's atempts at flying. A figure arrayed in full ceremonial dress, complete with top hat, appeared on the field and climbed into the cockpit of Mr. Allan's machine, which thereupon commenced a most extraordinary series of antics. First of all the pilot allowed his papers to blow out of the cockpit and then he started off with a jerk. Side-slips, dives and rolls followed each other in a mad succession. In spite of the appearance of inexperience it did not take long for the crowd to realise that the aeroplane was being managed with perhaps more skill than was required for the earlier exhibitions and that it was Mr. Allan who was in the cockpit. The car-bombing was a popular and amusing item. Mr. Allan was the more successful of the two pilots and he made some direct hits with the bags of flour. Once again, the daring of the parachutist, Pilot-Officer James Fraser, provided thrills for the crowd. The suspense as he hurtled through the air, turning over and over, until with a flutter the great parachute opened out, was thrilling. He made perfect landings on both his jumps.