AIR SERVICES

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23259, 21 July 1945, Page 7

AIR SERVICES

Nevz Zealand Will Be Well Served Gratification Expressed 'N.Z.P.A. i AUCKLAND, July 19 I When the deckior.s o! th" Commonwealth Au Tiam-port Council regardremrred to Squmiron-Leaimr Ernie Clark. D.F.C.. commanding the R.A.F. Transport Command mill at Auckland, lie stated that while he was not in pcsst ion of am additional information on the matte;-, he though it was gratifying that New Zealand would eventually be so well served by overseas services. Squadron Leader Clark said that the R.A.F. Transport Command had been operating a service twice-weekly in each direction through Auckland since the beginning of November. This service was inaugurated mainly for the benefit of the Australian and New Zealand Governments and while restricted to Government and military needs it had carried a large number of important passengers and provided .1 fast service for official and troop mail. The Pacific service operated from San Diego (California) to Sydney via Honolulu, Canton Island. Fiji and Auckland. The type of aircraft used was the Liberator Express or RY3, which was conspicuous for its high single tail by contrast, with the twin tail of the older models. This modi-

fication, together with the lengthening of the nose, had added considerably to the performance of the aircraft, and it surpassed the famous Skymaster or C 54 in speed, range and payload, although the Skymaster was more spacious inside. These two were the chief if not the only American large four-engined types at present tn quantity production A Shuttle Service From San Diego the R.A.F. Transport Command ran a shuttel service of Dakota or C 47 aircraft to Mon*real, where connection was made with the Liberator service to England operated since early in the war by the British Overseas Airways Corporation. This service had an excellent record in the carriage of important persons and returning ferry crews through treacherous weather encountered on the North Atlantic over a period of four years and although the R.A.F. Transport Command provided a worldwide service, including routes from North America to Africa and the Far East, this particular route was operated mainly by the British Overseas Airways Corporation. The flight from Auckland to London had been accomplished by some passengers in four days.

The crews operating the Pacific service hailed from many parts of the British Empire and New Zealand was well represented, stated Sauadron Leader Clark. A complete R.N.Z.A.F. crew under the captaincy of Squadron Leader Bradshaw was at. present being converted to liberator type aircraft at

Mcntieai and Flight Lieutenant Clark", of Gimmerburn, Central Otago, was a regular captain on the route. Other New Zealand crew members were Flight Lieutenant Webb of Auckland, Flying Officer J. Irwin of Dargaville, arid Flying Officer Kidd of Chrstchurch. although the last named two were at present on other routes. A famous pilot at present captaining aircraft on the routes was Squadron Leader Bullock. R.A.F.. D.S.O. and bar. D.F.C. and bar, who is credited with a record number of U-boat kills in the Battle of the Atlantic.