R.A.F. LANCASTER

Southland Times, Issue 25513, 6 November 1944, Page 4

R.A.F. LANCASTER

NO Fi.IGHTOVER CITY (P.A.) WELLINGTON,. Nov. 5. “In view of the public interest in the Royal Air Force Lancaster which is on a special navigation mission to New Zealand and Australia, arrangements have been made for the giant bomber to fly over as many towns and districts as possible during its New Zealand visit,” stated the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones. He emphasized that the itinerary which had been drawn up was subject to the weather and although the weather reports at the moment were not good every effort would be made to carry out the flights over the routes drawn up. „In addition to the towns named in the itinerary the captain of the Lancaster, Wing Commander D. C. McKinley, would fly over as many intermediate towns en route as times and conditions permitted. The Minister added that because of the long scheduled flight ahead of the Lancaster and to the limited amount of flying that could be done in New Zealand, the captain regretted that he would be unable to include in his tour as many places as he would otherwise have visited.

The following itinerary is subject to the weather and represents the approximate times of arrival at the centres indicated:—

Monday, November 6.—Kaikoura, 3.30 p.m.; Blenheim, 3.50 p.m.; Wellington, 4.5 p.m.; Masterton, 4.20 p.m.; Dannevirke, 4.45 p.m.; Waipukurau, 4.55 p.m.; Hastings, 5.5. p.m.; Napier, 5.10 p.m.; Palmerston North, 5.35 p.m. Tuesday, November 7.—Wanganui, 3.40 p.m.; Patea, 3.50 p.m.; Hawera, 3.55 p.m.; Stratford, 4.0 p.m.; New Plymouth, 4.5 p.m. Thursday, November 9.—Taurnarunui, 3.20 p.m.; Te Kuiti, 3.30 p.m.; Te Awamutu, 3.40 p.m.; Hamilton, 3.45 p.m.; Auckland, 4.5 p.m. Today’s itinerary was as follows:— Nelson, 11.45 a.m.; Westport, 12.15 p.m.; Greymouth, 12.30 p.m.; Hokitika, 12.35 p.m.; Queenstown, 2 p.m.; Cromwell, 2.8 p.m.; Alexandra, 2.15 p.m.; Dunedin, 2.35 p.m.; Oamaru, 3 p.m.; Timaru, 3.15 p.m.; Ashburton, 3.30 pjn.; Christchurch, 3.45 p.m. BOMBER ARRIVES AT CHRISTCHURCH Flight Over South Island (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 5. After a flight over most of the South Island the Royal Air Force Lancaster bomber which is visiting New Zealand operational training stations to demonstrate the latest navigation equipment likely to be of use in the Pacific area, arrived at Wigram this afternoon. The Lancaster left Ohakea at 11.30 this morning and flew over Nelson, down the West Coast to Jackson’s Bay, then inland to Queenstown, Cromwell, Alexandra and Dunedin and up the east coast, passing over Oamaru, Timaru and Ashburton and landed at Wigram at 4.30. The aircraft flew approximately 1000 miles in five hours. A crowd of many thousands watched the arrival. Hundreds of cars were parked round the aerodrome. The captain of the Lancaster, Wing Commander D. C. McKinley, and his crew were welcomed by the United Kingdom High Commissioner, Sir Harry Batterbee, the Mayor of Christchurch, Mr E. H. Andrews, the Mayor of Dunedin, Mr D. C. Cameron, and the commanding officer, Group Captain C. E. Kay. The Lancaster is expected to leave for Ohakea at 3.30 tomorrow afternbor*