MODERN AIR BASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23340, 8 May 1939, Page 12

MODERN AIR BASE

PROGRESS AT OHAKEA CONSTRUCTION OF HANGARS LARGE RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS PROVISION OF LONG RUNWAYS [by telegraph—own correspondent! WELLINGTON, Saturday Tho Royal New Zealand Air Force station at Ohakea, the most modern aerodrome in New Zealand and probably Australia, is rapidly nearing completion and will be ready .for use by the time the Vickers Wellington bombers arrive in the Dominion from •England in October. Ono of the two hangars on the field has almost been completed and. the construction..of the other is well on tho way. 1 Tho bulk of. tho work on the officers' quarters. has been done and only the plastering and. finishing have to be undertaken. Good progress is also being made with tho erection of" ihe airmen's quarters. Two dormitory wings Have been completed" and work is proceeding on the other two wings and the big central portion of this block. Tho administration block in front of and between the two hangars presents a finished appearance. More Hangars Planned Although each hangar will accommodate a maximum of nine Vickers Wellington bombers, which have a wingspan of more than 80ft., only 15 machines will be kept at tho station in the meantime. Provision has been made on tho plans for the building of six more hangars. Three tractors with carry-all scoops attached, ono of 18 yards capacity and two of 12 yards capacity/ are hastening tho work of preparing the ground near the buildings. Already the grass on the runways is being sown, and runways of approximately 50 chains in any direction will be available for the big bombers when they arrive. When the remainder of tho landing fiold has been sown there will bo runways a, mile long available, no matter in what direction the wind is blowing. Ideal Site Selected The site of the Ohakea station is ideal for an aerodrome. There are no hills within 30 miles and it is seldom that a gusty wind is encountered near the landing-field. It is in a key position on tho main Auckland-Wellington highway, two miles north of Sanson. It is eight miles from the Main Trunk railroad at Marton, 17 miles from Palmerston North, 30 from Wanganui, and 21 from Feilding, at all of which places there are already civil aerodromes. The aerodrome is only half a mile frojn the easily distinguishable landmark, the Rangitikei River.