AIR PAGEANT

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1931, Page 6

AIR PAGEANT

MILLION SPECTATORS.

Liu led 14re»» Association. — By Electric Telegraph—Copyright/.

LONDON, June 27

In glorious flying weather, nearly a million people within and round about the ; aerodrome witnessed the air force pageant, which for the distinguished attendance, skilful porlormantes and smartness of dressing ranked as an aerial Ascot.

The Duke of Gloucester • Hew from Tidniontli. Prince George, and Princess Ingrid, and Members ol the Cabinet also attended.

Wonder followed wonder, from bombing displays to aerial duels. The movements varied from drill to the refuelling of a giant bomber in mid-air from another plane. Complete accuracy in the evolutions was maintained at 1.50 miles per hour. In,the crazy (lying there were a pair of aeroplanes whoso pilots deliberately did everything wrong and enthralled the crowd. An autogyro hovered in the air like it wind-mill, while 'Failles pyreodactyo with painted eyes and a mouth like a Chinese dragon ei renin navigated it. With exaggerated wings, the jugminio, which is almost umrashable, dropped like it plii.net from the sky under perfect control.

New “fury fighters” gave a royal salute at a speed of 214 miles per hour. Six parachutes grace!ally descended from three huge \ ikings. One of the star turns was the catapulting of it Virginia night-hqmoer weighing nine tens, this providing it most dramatic display, including the destruction of it naval gun which supposedly had shelled London ; the damaging of St. Paul’s and the defeating of its defending airplanes, by bombing and lighting squadrons of the R.A.i'. Ninety per cent . of the participating airmen it re between the ages of 14) and 21 years. .Many were meiv toddlers in Witrtime. The Pageant tuts truly it festival of Britain’s most daring youth, whose feats were marvellous.