A STUNT THAT STARTLED BRISBANE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1004, 21 June 1930, Page 27

A STUNT THAT STARTLED BRISBANE

ABOUT three times a year some exploitation stunt wins its way legitimately into the headlines. To demonstrate the havoc which could be wrought in Brisbane by a single enemy air-raider, a plane recently swooped over the city , by night, dropped mock bombs and recorded six direct “hit’s.” Meanwhile an anti-air-craft detachment worked from the top of a tall building,'spotting the attacking plane with searchlights and-retaliating with gunfire, while thousands watched from the ground. “Is that stunt worth the asks a writer in “Everyone’s,” and answers the question himself. “It. certainly is,” Billy Moloney and Edgar Betts worked it as part of the campaign for “The Sky Hawk” at the Brisbane Regent, and it probably will be listed as the best of the year. Plans had been laid for the stunt when a lucky chance came by way of a statement by Air Commodore Williams at the Melbourne University that airplanes similar to the Southern Cross could leave Pacific Islands owned by a foreign Power, bomb Brisbane, and return again in a non-stop flight. Brisbane papers featured the story: Moloney and Betts picked it up; and used it as a convincing argument in securing military co-operation for a mock raid for the Friday night befoie “The Sky Hawk” opened. The anti-aircraft station, established on the roof of a building adjoining the theatre, consisted of a detachment «>f ao frbm the 15th Battalion under the command of Lieutenant W. E. G. Roberts, with four searchlights, one throwing a mile beam: and four guns. At R p.m. the attacking plane piloted by Captain Ronald Adair, Eagle Farm Airdrome, and attack and coun-ter-attack began with a roar of gunfire. Honours went to the airman, who was able to avoid the searchlights, and who in subsequent Press interviews

confirmed Air Commodore Williams’s contention that Brisbane was absolutely at the mercy of aerial attackers. While recognising the demonstration to be primarily a publicity stunt for “The Sky Hawk,” Brisbane newspapers gave big space to it, and stressed its serious side. ‘ Its value as a novel form of advertisement was completely eclipsed by the thought of the grim possibilities if the attack had been mmde in reality,” declared the Brisbane “Courier.” j The theatre cashed in strongly on the stunt, and Messrs. Moloney and Betts followed up next day by using Captain Adair in low-flying over the city and sports grounds. They also arranged for him to give an aerial acrobatic display later in the searchlight’s beam. This is said to be the first time such stunt-flying has been attempted.