AUSTRALIAN BOMBERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23619, 1 April 1940, Page 13

AUSTRALIAN BOMBERS

NEW LOCKHEED HUDSONSAN IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY MACHINES DELIGHT AIRMEN [FROM OUIt OWX COIIRKSPOXniCNT] SYDNEY, March 20 Airmen at the 1 >ova 1 Australian Air Force station at Richmond, New Soutli Wales, show plainly their delight in the new Lockheed Hudson bombers, some of the many that Australia has bought from the United States. They feel now that they have machines of which they can be thoroughly proud. Five of the bombers gave an exhibition flight over the northern suburbs and the Richmond district. The display. which afforded striking evidence of the value of the type, concluded with a dive over the hangars at Richmond station. The leader, Squadron-Leader R. H. Sininis, reached a speed of .'520 miles an hour before the formation broke up in the ensuing climb from a few feet over the hangars. During the exhibition the Lockkeeds shot past a flight of Avro-Ansons as if they were stationary, forged ahead, turned, and then passed under them again. > Some, of the Lockheeds were in the charge of commercial pilots who have flown thousands of hours over Australia's chief air routes and*are accustomed to handling modern twin-engined aircraft.

A large number of the bombers have already arrived in Australia. Some are being assembled at Richmond and others in Melbourne. Air Force mechanics and aircraftsmen assisting in their assembly are securing valuable experience in maintenance work. The commercial pilots who have joined up to become instructors will soon be ready to teach others how to fly them.