Noted N.Z. Fighter Pilot On Short Leave With His Parents

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 October 1949, Page 6

Noted N.Z. Fighter Pilot On Short Leave With His Parents

AUCKLAND, Last Night (PA).— Group Captain E. W. Whitley, D. 5.0., D.F.C., of Auckland, who joined the Royal Air Force in 1930 and who has not visited New Zealand since 1934, returned today to spend a few days leave with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. C Whitley, of Remuera. He travelled from Britain in a York aircratf of No. 24 (Commonwealth) Squadron R.A.F., which landed at Ohakea and he will leave for Britain again on Saturday in the same aircraft.

One of New Zealand's leading tighter pilots with nearly 20 years' experience in many parts ot the world, Group Captain Whitley has flown many different types of aircraft ranging from the lumbering models of the pre-war years to the sleek postwar jets of Ftghter Command. Immediately before being posted to his present duties as deputy-r Director of Staff Training at Air Ministry, London, he commanded a fighter wing made up of two squadrons of Spitfires and one of de Havilland Vamp pipes.

An enthusiastic pilot of Britain's jet-propelled aircraft, Group Captain Whitley said he was one of the many visitors recently most impressed with the new types of plane shown at the Farnborough display. Some of the prototype fighters displayed amazing performance and were probably among the finest aircraft of their type in the world.

The first station of the R.A.F. to operate in the British zone of Germany, that at Wunstorf, was commanded by Group Captain Whitley. He held this post when the New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) was a visitor and also when New Zealand crews from No. 41 (Transport) Squadron based at Whenuapai were first taking part in (lie Beilin air lift.