Additions to New Zealand Air Force

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 207, 31 August 1942, Page 5

Additions to New Zealand Air Force

NEW TYxrEB Ox‘ PLANES. WASHINGTON, Aug. 29. I Tlie Minister ox Dexence, tffe iron. k\ ./ones, reveaied to-day tnat new types of aircrait are oeing placed xn service iu tlie Dominion. Tie said ifiat most i-New Zealanders fi&d now seen in tlie air new t.>pes of lignters and oomuers wiiicli had oeen added to tlie B.N.Z.A.F. Mr Jones added tliat in audition to new operational types, we bad several modern types of single twin-engined training aircraft, wliicn were providing New Zealand air crews with advanced training instruction and operational experience. Many New Zealand instructors had relumed from active service overseas, with the result that the Dominion’s operational units were manned by thoroughly qualified personnel. ‘ 1 Obviously it is not possible for me to give full details of the development of our air policy in this direction,” said tlie Minister, “but I can say that New Zealand’s air strength is a considerable factor to be reckoned with in any possible war operations in this area. It may also be said that we are looking considerably beyond our own shores. Wc realise that to beat the enemy we must carry the attack to his bases. We aro already co-operating in this task in the Pacific.” Referring more specifically to the new aircraft, Mr Jones mentioned thb6 some types had been engaged for somo time in carrying out long-range patrol and reconnaissance duties. A Hudson reconnaissance bomber was now a familiar sight in this country. Numbers of Avro Anson reconnaissance bombers had also arrived in New Zealand. These aircraft, were most valuable for advanced operational training purposes, while a formidable addition to our fighter strength had been the Kittvhawk, a type which was nt present inflicting heavy losses on the Japanese north of n^tralia. “WhereJa get that black eyef” “In the war.” “What wart” “The boudoir.”