Duke's Pre-Flight Talk With Air Race Crew -- The Duke of Gloucester talking with the crew of the Royal Australian Air forces Canberra No. 5 before the take-off in the race to-day. Eight planes, the fastest hoping to make Christchurch with in 25 hours, were flagged off from London Airport to-day (Thursday) by the Duke of Gloucester at the start of the great 13,000 miles air race to New Zealand. Three of the planes, a Bea Viscount, a Douglas Liftmaster, and a Royal New Zealand air forces Hastings, are in the transport *****, the remaining five Canberra, contest in the speed division. October 8, 1953. (Photo by Reuterphoto).