HAWERA AIR PAGEANT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17231, 10 April 1930, Page 7

HAWERA AIR PAGEANT

SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION 10 PLANES PARTICIPATE (Per Press Association.) HAWERA. last nigld. Taranaki's first air pageant was held under the auspices of the llawcra Aero Club at Egnimit racecourse this, alter noon and drew an assembly of between 6COO and 7600, while further larger numbers viewed events lroni various points ol vantage in the viemity. fen planes were in attendance, representing Canterbury, .Marlborough. Wellington, New Plymouth. Hamilton, and Auckland. Seven of the original nominees were unable to make the visit. Kino weather favored the opening of the programme at 2 o'clock, but light nun showers were experienced Iroin o o’clock onwards, while a still tmrtherK breeze rising in occasional gusts pro sented difficulties to pilots. < oinnienc ing with a massed ]virnde. the programme consisted ol varying features, including the Egniout Air Cup race, iormation flying, hing and parachute ilesi ending by ''Colonel Sandbags.” Captain MacGregor. Hamilton, provided a succession ol thrills lor the crowd with an exhibition ot aerial aerobatics and upside-down living, also up pearing with Fliglit-Liewt. M. WIhicklev. New Zealand Air I'oice, in an aerial (log-light. Ihe other pilots appearing during the programme were Miss Arolia Clifford (Christchurch). Captain Willingford (Auckland). Flying Gfljcer Keith (New Plymouth). Miss I’. Bennett, K. IL !>ix {Blenheim). Captain .1. Mercer (Christchurch). Captain G. Sledman (Wellington). Pilot Officer J. Bui I eruh'e (Christchurch). Flight-Lieut. HB. Burrell (New Zealand Air Force), officiated as judge but did not Hv his Moth, which was piloted by Pilot < Hlieei Buckeridge. who also flew a D.ll. A--die other planes, excepting Miss C m ford’s Avro-Avinn. were Gipsy Moths. The competitive events insulted Lauding: Captain MacGregor I. Flight-Lieut. Buckley 2. Five competed. . Balloon bursting: Flying Officer Keith 1. Five competed. Bombing : Pilot Officer Buckeridge 1. Captain Mercer 2. lour competed. Kgmont Air Cun (6 miles), first heat : Cantabi MacGregor 1. Captain Mercer ?. Miss Bennett 3. Only starters. Second heat: Cant.'tin Stedman 1. I' •R- Dix 2 hiving Officer heitli 3. Also stalled. Miss Clifford. 1 bird heat : Flight - Lieut t’ncklev L. Captain Willingford 2. Pilot Officer Buckeridge 3. final: Mac C. Buck-lev. Stedman. Living low. the trio provided a thrilling finish, the winner moving tin in Hie final 3(1 vards to take the decision by a nose, with thr third plane only 15 yards hack.