West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Wednesday 8 April 1953, page 8


AIR RACE FLIGHT GETS C.O. CANBERRA, Tues.-Wing Commander D. R. Cumin'g, A.F.C. and bar, will command the R.A.A.F.'s No. 1 longrange flight formed at Laverton (Victoria). This flight will select and train crews for the R.A.A.F. entries in the United Kingdom-New Zealand air race. The Minister for Air (Mr. McMahon) tonight described W/C Cuming as the R.A.A:F.'s outstanding test pilot. lie made flying history in 1951 when he flew the first jet aircraft to cross the world, by delivering the first Canberra to the R.A.A.F. Mr. McMahon said that W/C Cuming's experience would be invaluable in the vast preliminary work involved in the longrange flight brief.