ACROBATICS IN THE AIR.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18709, 27 October 1930, Page 9

ACROBATICS IN THE AIR.

Brilliant Air Force Display

AMAZING VERSATILITY OF BRITISH AIRMEN.

United Press Assorlntlon —By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyv‘eht

(Received October 26, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 26.

Acrobatic displays of the Royal Air Force, including rolling, rocketing, looping, diving at high speed, and fighting manoeuvres, were features of the progromme for the Imperial Conference delegates, visit to Croydon in wintry weather. The delegates, of whom Mr Scullin was the only Australian Minister present, lunched at the Aerodrome Hotel, after inspecting a wide variety of civil and military aircraft and seing air liners coming in from the Continent against a strong wind. Thereafter two single seater game cock high-speed fighters gave a thrilling exhibition of co-ordinated acrobatics, climbing perpendicularly, and rolling and then diving towards the ground at a tremendous speed. A squadron of day bombers of the latest Hart type, gave a formation display. finishing with a deafening roar, as nine machines dived and swept across the aerodrome at high speed at low altitude.

The last three experimental types —auto-gyro, tailless petrodactyl, and the gugnunc biplane—proved a contrast to high speed-flying, all remaining stationary in the air for some minutes. They then showed their versatility by quickly gathering speed, after hovering. They also neatly carried out a performance for which they were primarily designed, namely, landing in a confined space, and coming to rest after running a few feet. Indeed, the auto-gyro did not seem to move after touching the ground.

A squadron of Siskin single-seater fighters, provided a concluding thrill, taking off in threes tied together with cords, and even looping with such precision that the cords remained unbroken.

Mr Ramsay Macdonald, wearing a flying kit, including a parachute and plus fours, flew to Chequers. Messrs J. H. Scullin and G. W. Forbes. Sir Thomas Sidey and others had brief flights over London in a triple engined Imperial Airways liner.