Daring Airman Flies Into Ngauruhoe

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 734, 6 August 1929, Page 1

Daring Airman Flies Into Ngauruhoe

TOUR OF CRATER CAPTAIN McGREGOR’S LATEST (From Our Own Correspondent) TATIMARUNUI, Monday. For the first time in the history of New Zealand aviation an airplane has circled within the crater of Ngauruhoe, the vicious sentinel of Tongariro National Park. It was a daring flight, conceived in the courage and carried out by the skill of Captain M. C. McGregor, of Hamilton. Capt. McGregor, with Mr. Luks, of Hamilton Airways, Ltd., paid a surprise visit to the Central King Country and landed without trouble on the Taumarunui racecourse. So well was the secret of the visit guarded that only five people were present to welcome the flyers, who followed the railway route in the main, and described much of the country as “rough going” underneath. The plane used is a de Haviland Moth, with the slotted-wing device. With Mr. L. G. Godfrey, of Taumarunui, as a passenger, Capt. McGregor flew to the National Park and descending into the crater of the volcano, circled the whole of Ngauruhoe. The trip is described as a thrilling one, and is likely to attract many sightseers in the not distant future. Several trips have also been made down the Wanganui River, the beauties of which are enhanced as seen from the air. Since its arrival in Taumarunui the plane has been besieged by would-be trippers, who willingly pay the fee asked for a jaunt in the blue. It is expected that the Moth will remain here till Wednesday or after.