Howie Wing (Robert McKenzie MC)

G'Day folks,

I am researching the 1938 - 1940 radio series Howie Wing. I am working in with other researchers in the U.S and Canada and my main interest is in relation to Australia. The radio series was sponsored by Kellogs and was about young men being trained to be pilots. In the U.S 'Jack' Knight was the figuredhead 'Chief Pilot'. Jack Knight was a very famous pilot of the time due to his famous flight in setting up Air Mail. Lots of information on websites about Jack Knight. We do not at this stage know who was the Canadian 'figurehead' for the series.

In Australia our 'Commanding Officer' was Robert McKenzie, MC. Very little information is available about Robert McKenzie. I am hoping that someone can tell me why he was chosen as the figurehead for the Howie Wing cadets in Australia. What made him stand out from other Australian 'Aces' or Pilots of the time? Was there a process for making the choice? Can anybody remember the series. Currently only 8 known episodes survive throughout the world, from over 250 broadcast. 7 were found in the last 3 months.

I hope you can help.

Ian