AIR DEFENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23894, 23 August 1939, Page 5

AIR DEFENCE

THE WOODBOURNE AERODROME A MODERN STRUCTURE RAPIDLY TAKING SHAPE (Per United Press Association ) .BLENHEIM, Aug..-24. The building of a new defence aerodrome at Woodbourne has been pushed ahead to a stage when it is possible to realise the dimensions of the undertaking and the part it will play, both as a training school for pilots and as an important link in New Zealand's first line of defence. Contracts representing £94,000 of the £400,000 that the huge scheme will eventually absorb have been let and a number of them have been in progress for months. Of the staff accommodation buildings several are practically completed and the first of the permanent personnel will arrive in the course of a few days The framework of one. of the giant hangars, each of which covers an acre of land, is now in readiness for the outer covering of corrugated iron. Several large sections of anothei are already in place and the remainder have been cut out, bolted, and laid out on the ground ready for lifting into position. Each hangar comprises 15 great trusses, and as one can be fitted daily it should be a matter of only a week or so before the second framework is erected. Satisfactory Progress Although some delay has been, caused by the fact that' the contractors are unable to. secure the necessary supplies of iron, the whole undertaking is progressing satisfactorily and should be completed within the scheduled time. This factor is important as the first batch of men who wijl be stationed at the aerodrome will arrive at Blenheim oh September 1. Accommodation has to be available by that date for 50 men and 14 officers. It is understood that no planes will be-com-, missioned at the aerodrome until next April. The" intervening period will be devoted to a thorough preliminary training and other preparatory work. Within recent have been completed by. the authorities for taking over a further 17 acres of land on the opposite side of the Middle Reriwick road. This is to be laid out as an extension of the adjacent 35-acre building, block on the aerodrome proper. Here, accommodation quarters will' be erected, together with another dormitory wing which will be constructed when required. With more land available, provision has been made for lawn tennis courts to be laid out on the newly acquired area. The quarters for married officers and men will constitute a small settlement, for 26 wooden houses of varying design are to be greeted. Tenders for two of these have already been let and work on the remainder will be commenced at an early date. -'■ ' -•'• Remarkable Transformation The 200-acre aerodrome, 'made, famous by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, who departed from it return flight to;.Australia;:^...■ 192& has undergone a transformation.- It bears no similarity to the great Undulating pasture from which'the old Southern Cross rose on the long hop. to Sydney. The whole area has been/ levelled and there has been an -excellent strike of grass. By the time the bombing squadrons arrive the runways will be in perfect condition. Although provision was originally made for the erection of four hangars, it was subsequently decided to limit these in the meantime to two. In view of the enlargement of the whole scheme, which now provides for an establishment equal in size to Wigram, it is intended,however, to proceed with the construction of the remaining two. WO, tender for this work so far has been let. - "'• '•■ i"'"■"■ ■* Accommodation for the. ranks of the aerodrome personnel are more •advanced than is the case with the quarters for the officers. Two dormitories for the ,men are practically, completed and should be in readi? ness for occupation in about a week. An inspection indicates _ that the, men will be furnished with living quarters of the highest standard, incorporating all the conveniences available in a modern home. Dormitory Accommodation Each dormitory contains accommodation for 80 men, 40 in each wing. In • the connecting link between the wings are located shower rooms, was! basins, lavatories, ana the electrical plant to heat the large quantity of water necessary. There is ample window space, and the quarters are sunny and well ventilated. The foundations are laid for a recreation building which will comprise a commodious hall, together with stage, facilities for the screening of films, billiard tables, reading rooms, and a canteen. At the rear of the officers' block will be the hospital quarters, 100 ft by 40ft. Opposite this will be a concrete building housing a modern hrefighting tender and equipment, together with a motor ambulance. Other buildings either under construction or to be commenced m the near future comprise an n.c.o. dormitory and mess room, which win be required under the larger scheme, a structure devoted to the study ot navigation and photography, an armoury, a minature rifle range, and a machine-gun range. Behind the hangars are to be placed various stores, and the structure in which the trainer for blind flying instruction will be housed. Work is also, in progress on a 70-foot .octagonal reinforced concrete water tower in which 100,000 gallons of water will be stored and from which the pressure necessary to operate the elaborate sewerage and water scheme will be obtained As all tfce\ construction is timber, the whole of the building area is bisected by four-inch and six-inch water mains and hydrants from which hoses will b' run in the event of fire.