AIR PAGEANT MISHAP

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 82, 16 March 1931, Page 6

AIR PAGEANT MISHAP

’PLANES TOUCH DURING RACE SOME THRILLS AT MASTERTON MASTER-TON, March 1.1. Ideal weather prevailed for the oflicial Nvla Island Air Pageant held on Saturdty at Alas'orton. About 74 pilots and over JO machines participated, and the flying was of- a nigh staiida- J. The New Zml.uh’ Government’s Grebe suffered slight damage when landing after a demonstration trial, a skid being broken and (he rudder damaged. A mishap in the Borah! Cup race marred this event, two ’planes touciiing when travelling at a speed of about, 100 miles per how ami a height of 800 Bet. The ’planes concerned were two Moths piloted by B. \V. Boys (Hawke’s Bay) and B. G. Lewis (Auckland), both of whom had a remarkable escape I rom injury. The mishap occurred in the final lap of Ihe race in the strait, and it, is reported that Boys was passing Lewis when his wing tip touches the fuselage of the other ’plane. Lewis’ prope'Vr was damaged and Boys’ left wing and propeller were splintered. Lewis went into a wide spiral, si ruck a fence and overturned, his ’plane being badly damaged. Boys landed skilfully in a mangold field, slightly damaging Ids under-carriage, but the machine was not badly damaged. The official opening of the Hood aerodrome took place during the afternoon. Results of events are as follow. — Landing Competition, A Pilots. —T. Hudson (Otago) .1, R. O. Brown (Hawke’s Bay) 2, H. Gardiner (Wellington) .'i. Newbegin Cup, Flight-Lieutenant Buckley 1, Flying-Officer Olsom (Otago) 2, Capt. Stedman Herald Cup.—C. M. But hie (Wellington) 1, A. V. Jury (Wairarapa) 2. Lauding, B. Pilots. —F, McDonald (Wellington) 1, Squadron-Leader Findlay 2, Flight-Lieutenant Buckley

Acrobatic Competition.—]). M. Allan (Auckland) 1.