AUCKLAND AIR PAGEANT

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 36, 14 April 1930, Page 3

AUCKLAND AIR PAGEANT

THRILLS FOR SPECTATORS COMPETITOR’S FORCED LANDING AUCKLAND, April 13. The second aerial pageant conducted by the Auckland Aero Club was held at Man gore aerodrome yesterday. The weather was fine but a strong wind did not make for the best flying, conditions. Over 20 machines, .including several types not previously seen in Auckland, thrilled spectators with racing events, stunting, bomb dropping and landing. During the afternoon the Et. Hou. J. G. Coates,- with Wing Commander Grant Dalton, took the air in a D.H. 50 machine. Mr F. C. Chichester received a warm welcome. He flew to Auckland especially for the pageant. The Aerial Derby was won by Captain McGregor. Owing to the high wind Wing-Commander Grant Dalton

refused permission for a parachute descent.

There were no accidents but a forced lauding by Captain Buckley during the Now Zealand Aerial (Derby. He was flying low over the mud flats when his motor stopped, but he managed to turn the machine into the wind and make a good landing. The machine was still rolling when the wheels struck a soft spot and the 'plane heeled over on to its nose. No damage was caused and after a blocked Jet, which had caused th trouble had been cleaned, Captain Buckley flew the machine back to the 'drome. Results were as follows:—• Intcr-elub Challenge Race for the New Zealand Herald Trophy: Hawke's Bay and East Coast (D > H. Newbegin) 1; Marlborough (Miss P. Bennett) 2; Canterbury (D. E. Grigg) 3; Auckland (G. M. Firth) 4. This event wa-s one of the best of the day. The Canterbury machine wobbled badly at tho start but straightened out and got away with

the others. Mr Firth, who was on the outside did not get a good start ami was behind throughout the whole race. Miss Bennett was ahead after one lap of the course but Mr New begin overtook her in the second time round and won by a narrow margin.

The Now Zealand Aerial Derby: First heat —Captain M. Buckley (Air Force) I; Lieut. lan Keith (New Plymouth) 2. Second heat— Captain M. C. McGregor (Hamilton) 1; Major G. A, C. Cowper (Hamilton) 2. Third heat.- — Captain J. Heabrook (Auckland) 1, Mr U. Mill (Hobsonville) 2. Fourth heat.— Captain W. S. Bloomfield (Auckland) 1; Captain Btedman (Wellington) 2. Final —Captain McGregor 1; Captain Bloomfield 2; Captain Seabrook 3. Captain McGregor look the lend at the first bend and gained 200 yards on the others. He won by that amount and Captain Scabrook finished a similar dis tance behind Captain Bloomfield. Landing competition for B License pilots: Major Cowper 1; Captain Me-

Grogor 2; Lieut D. M. Allau (Auckland) I). A LicciisU pilots: Mr F. B, Dix (Marlborough 5 ) 1; Mr H. Newtiegiu

Bombing the baby:, Lieut, D, M Allan J; Captain McGregor 2.