NEW PLANES IN DOMINION

Southland Times, Issue 24836, 31 August 1942, Page 4

NEW PLANES IN DOMINION

GROWING STRENGTH IN AIR (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 28. The Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, revealed today that new types of aircraft were being placed in service in flie Dominion and said most New Zealanders had now seen in the air the new of fighters and bombers which had been added. “In addition to new operational types we have several modem types of single and twin-engined training aircraft which are providing New Zealand air crews with advanced training instruction and operational experience,” he said. “Many of our instructors have returned from active service overseas with the result that our operational units are manned by thoroughly qualified personnel.” Obviously it was not possible to give full details of the development of our air policy in this direction, but he could say New Zealand’s air strength was 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,” he said. “We realize that to beat the enemy we must carry the attack to his bases. We are already co-operating in this task in the Pacific.” Referring more specifically to the new aircraft, Mr Jones mentioned that some types had been engaged for some time carrying out long-range patrol and reconnaissance duties. The 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 Kittyhawk type which was at present inflicting heavy losses on the Japanese in the north of Australia.