UNION AIR LINER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22751, 11 December 1935, Page 10

UNION AIR LINER

FIRST OVERLAND FLIGHT EXCITEMENT IN BLENHEIM (Per United Press Association) BLENHEIM. December 10. Blenheim is almost self-consciously blase in regard, to aviation, and even children hardly bother to look up when planes are overhead, but all necks were craned at 1 o'clock to-day and there was a general rush into the streets when the giant new Union Airways liner Karoro, the largest and fastest craft to be seen in New Zealand, put in an appearance after a smart flight from Christchurch on her first overland trip. The machine was carrying as passengers' the officials of the company, and landed at the Woodbourne aerodrome, which is to be used for a few months pending further improvements to the Blenheim aerodrome. The party returned to Christchurch late in the day. The trip from Christchurch to Blenheim occupied 1 hour 12 minutes and from aerodrome to aerodrome 1 hour 18 minutes—a new tecord. The party aboard comprised •Mr A. R. Thompson, Christchurch manager of the Union Steam Chip Company, Mr F. M. Clarke, technical adviser to Union Airways, Squadron-leader M'Gregor, service manager, Mr B. A. Blythe, chief pilot, Flightlieutenant A. J. Garland, first pilot, Flying-officer J. R. White, first pilot, and Mr L. Meanghan, chief ground engineer.