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The Gisborne Photo News

 
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No 128 : February 24, 1965

22

Spectacular Air Show

The official opening of Gisborne Airport's new sealed runway was marked by a spectacular and comprehensive air show on Anniversary Monday.

Attended by a crowd of some 6000, the show featured handling demonstrations by light aero club aircraft, topdressing and spraying displays by commercial planes and helicopters, a parachute drop by members of the Auckland Parachute Club, a supply drop by a Bristol Freighter, and an exhibition by a Canberra jet bomber. The show was climaxed by the high-speed precision flying of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Vampire jet acrobatic team.

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Fieldair's Lodestar topdressing aircraft banks low over the crowd. In the foreground is a Bristol Freighter.

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The yawning mouth of the Bristol Freighter dwarfs its interested spectators

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The Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr J. K. McAlpine, declaring the sealed runway officially opened. Members of the official party are, from left: Rev F. Middlebrook, Mr W. V. Clarke (chairman Cook County Council), Mr McAlpine, Mr M. L. Lynch (deputy-chairman airport committee), Mrs E. I. Tombleson, M.p., and Mr L. H. R. Crosby (deputy-Mayor).

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Mr McAlpine prepares to fire a Verey signal pistol to set the air show under way

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Whirl-Wide Aviation's helicopter banks steeply over the drome

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It was a case of all eyes upwards for spectators watching a flying demonstration

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The Vampire aerobatics team thrilled the crowd with its tight formation flying

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Demonstrating a parachute jump from a low level

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Auckland parachutist Mike Booth prepares to land after dropping from a helicopter at 2700 feet.

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Prior to take-off, parachutists Mike Booth and Hugh Martin-Levorson check their equipment

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A parachute supply drop by the Bristol Freighter

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Inspecting a Vampire cockpit

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Varying reactions to the Vampires

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The Canberra jet bomber on the runway

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