Wigram Air Pageant

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 31, 14 February 1930, Page 3

Wigram Air Pageant

' 3YA to Broadcast Description | HE second New Zealand air pag eant, a miniature "Hendon," is to take place at the Wigram Aerodrome, Christchurch, on Saturday, February 15. 3YA will broadcast a description of the proceedings. The pageant will make a splendid spectacle. A total entry of 35 ’planes has been received, and it is expected

that the great majority will take part in the various events. There will be Moths, Avros, Spartans, Monocoupes, Bristols, Avians and Grebes, dipping and diving, circling, zooming-and all the other things that airplanes alone can do. ‘The list of events is most comprehensive. Headed by the principal contest, the Wigram Air Derhr. there are landing competitions, . transport race, formation flying, balloon chasing, height estimating con- , test, slow race, bombing contest, and a "ghost of novelty events. ‘ By no means the least important of these is a spectacular parachute descent. Pilots from all parts of the Dominion will take part in the. pageant, and as most of the best pilots in New Zealand are attending a refresher course at Wigram at the present time, some spectacular flying is anticipated. Commercial fiying concerns are. represented as well as most of the bestknown private enthusiasts. Wing-Com-mander 8S. Grant-Dalton, Director of Air Services in New Zealand, will act as chief judge. The Monocoupe, which will be one of the machines taking part in the pageant, is a monoplane of a type different from that usually seen. It is a light American machine equipped with a Velie 65 h.p. engine, with a cruising speed of 85 miles per hour, and a maximum speed of 100 miles per hour. It is a cabin-type machine with dual conis. The seats are side by side, and "uere is plenty of room for two in the cabin, with a space at the back for luggage. The cabin is free from noise, and conversation can be indulged in. There is no draught, and travelling in the cabin is said to be like travelling in a coupe car. There is no need for fiying clothes. It has a cruising range of 500 miles, doing 20 miles a gallon on twenty-five gallons of petrol.