AIR PAGEANT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21450, 25 March 1933, Page 13

AIR PAGEANT

NORTH ISLAND FIXTURE MANGERE DISPLAY TO-DAY MANY MACHINES TO COMPETE The Mangere aerodrome presented a scene of great activity yesterday 'when arrangements were being completed for the official North Island air pageant to be held at the aerodrome to-day. Ten aeroplanes from various parts of the North Island and the South Island, arrived at the aerodrome yesterday, with the result that 18 machines were housed in the Auckland Aero Club's hangar overnight. The visiting 1 machines which arrived yesterday to take part in the pageant were a Moth machine from Invercargill, piloted by Mr. F. Finlayson, with Mr. L.' Finlayson as passenger; four machines from Christchurch, piloted respectively by Captain J. Mercer, with Lady Bruce Stewart as passenger, Miss Montgomery, Mr. J. Adams and Captain Barlow; a Moth aeroplane from Wellington; a machine from New Plymouth, piloted by Mr. S. Meredith, with Mr. N. Duneen as passenger; a do Soutter monoplane from Hastings, piloted by Mr. H. C. Curlett; and two machines from Wanganui. Sir Bruce Stewart is expected to arrive from Christchurch to-day in a Puss Moth machine.

Tho pageant will begin at ten o'clock this morning and will continue until 4.15 p.m. In the competitive events, which will be carried out in the morning, one pilot will represent each club, the Auckland Club's representatives for the landing, bombing and aerobatics events for "A" pilots being Messrs. R. Tappenden, C. Lewis and E. Firth respectively. The Auckland representative in the landing and aerobatics competitions for " B " pilots will be the chief instructor, Flight-Lieutenant D. M. Allan.

The programme in the afternoon will be devoted to spectacular flying exhibitions. A feature of the display will be a thrilling " mock " aerial combat between Flight-Lieutenant Allan and Wing-Com-mander K. Caldwell. A touch of realism will be added with the employment of a special smoke screen, the preparation for which was specially imported from Australia. A parachutist will essay a thrilling leap from an altitude of 1000 ft.. which will be followed by a leap from 2000 ft. A massed formation flight of all machines will take" place over the city at mid-day to-day and the first event of the afternoon will be a grand parade in which visitors will be afforded the opportunity of inspecting the competing aeroplanes.