AERIAL THRILLS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1930, Page 6

AERIAL THRILLS

jCOM PETIT lON RESULTS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

HAWERA, April 9

The attraction of Taranaiki’s first air pageant, held under the auspices of the Hawera Aero Club a.t Hgmont Racecourse this afternoon, drew an assembly of between 6000 and 7090 to tho course grounds, while further larger numbers viewed the events from various points of vantage in the vicinity. Ten planes were in attendance, representing Canterbury, Marlborough, Wellington, New Plymouth, Hamilton, and Auckland, seven of the original nominees being unable to make the,visit. Fine weather favoured the opening of the programme at two o’clock, but light showers fell from three o’clock onwards, while a stiff northerly breeze in occasional gusts presented difficulties to pilots. Commencing with a- massed parade the programme consisted of varying features, including the Egmont Air Cup race, formation flying, bombing, parachute descending by “Colonel Sandbags.”

Captain M. C. 'MacGregor (Hamilton) provided a succession of thrills for the crowd with an exhibition of aerial acrobatics and upside down flying, also appearing with FlightLieut. M. W. Buckley (New Zealand Aii - Force) in an aerial dog fight. Other pilots appearing during the programme were Miss A roll a Clifford (Christchurch), Caipt. Wallingford ((Auckland), Flying , Officer Keith (New Plymouth), Miss P. Bennett and Air F. R. Dix (Blenheim), Capt. J. Mercer (Christchurch), Capt. G. Steelman (Wellington), Pilot Officer I. Buckcridgo (Christchurch). Flight-Lieut. H. B. Burrell (N.Z. Air Force) officiated as judge, and did not fly. His Moth was piloted by Buckcridge, who also flew a “D.II. 50.” The other plans, excepting Miss Clifford’s Avro Avian, were Gipsy Moths. The competitive events resulted :

Landing: Captain MacGregor 1, Flight. Lieut. Buckley 2, Five competed. Balloon bursting.—Flying Officer Keith 1. Five competed. Bombing:—Pilot Officer Buckcridge ], Captain Mercer ,2. Four competed. ’ Egmont Air Cup, six miles.—First boat: Captain MacGregor 1, Captain Mercer 2, Miss Bennett 3. The only starters. Second heat: Captain Stedman 1, R, F. Dix 2, Flying Officer Keith 3. Third heat: Flight-Lieut. Buckley 1, Captain Wallingford 2, Pilot Officer Buckeridge 3. The only starters. Final. MacGregor 1, Buckley 2, Steelman 3. Flying low, the trio provided a thrilling finish, the winner moving up in the final thirty yards to take the decision by a nose, with the third plane fifteen yards back.