FREIGHT AIRCRAFT ON VISIT TO N.Z.

Wanganui Chronicle, 24 July 1947, Page 5

FREIGHT AIRCRAFT ON VISIT TO N.Z.

room for passengers and CARGO (p.A.) Auckland. July 23. With more than 25,000 miles already behind her since she began her Commonwealth demonstration from Brtstol earlier this year. the. Bristol freighter aircraft Merchant Venturer reached Whenuapai from Norfolk Island early this afternoon. The first of her type to come to New Zealand, th? aircraft has a commodious hold big enough to accommodate a large motor-car or general freight weighing two and a-half ton«, and also has a comfortably furnished cabin amidships with seats for 16 pas■sengers. Commanded by Captain R. Ellison, the aircraft brought to Auckland Messrs M. Elliott, sales representative of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, F. E. Sender (navigator lent by Qantas Airways), J. Lamsdale (radio operator representing the Marconi Company), and W. R. Burns and A. E. Davies (engineers). She carried no freight, part of the hold being occupied by a large long-range tank installed for the Tasman crossing. Many passengers and some odd items of freight have been carried by the Merchant Venturer during her present tour. Among most distinguished travellers was the champion Victorian racehorse Attley, which was flown in th® freighter from Melbourne to Brisbane to race there, and a reminder of this trip is retained in the form of a small brass plate bearing the horse’s name. The aircraft also carried a special motor-ear used in Australia by Viscount Montgomery from Sydney to Brisbane.