DROPPING POLES BY PLANE

Chronicle (Levin), 9 July 1947, Page 3

DROPPING POLES BY PLANE

Press Association

By Telegravh-

GISBORNE, July 8. Initial trials in the dropping of green willow and poplar poles from a plane on tlie Huanui station, undertaken jointlv by the Soil Oonaervation Council and E.N.Z.A.F., earried out this afternoon. ; The pbl£s are intended for planting on a large area of slipping country to elxeck erosion. The object of the fiights is to establish whether materials required for back country station work can be dropped accurately and with reasonable safety in an area wliere tliere is no landing field. A Dakota plane piioted by Wing Coinmander T. de Lango, D.F.C.,, C.O. No. 41 Squadron, with Fliglit Lieutenant C. F. Ormerod, D.F.C., as navigator, operated from the Gisborne 'drome to Huanui Station inland from Tolaga Bay and 23 air miles from the take-ofi' point. The doors were removed from tlie aircraft and a eliute installed in the opening for the ejection of the poles. The first cargoes eoinprised 250 poles eacli 10ft in lengtli and weighing about 101b eacli, the load being calculated at between 2500 and 30001b.