Malcolm C. McGregor

Captain Malcolm Charles McGregor DFC* (4 March 1896 – 19 February 1936) was a New Zealand born World War I flying ace.

Appointed a director, technical adviser and service manager for the new national airline, Union Airways which became NAC, he died in Wellington Hospital following a flying accident in a company aircraft just before his 40th birthday.

[1][3] On 24 July, he scored another double win southeast of Kemmel, Belgium, destroying one Fokker D.VII and driving another out of combat.

[1][3] On the 22nd August this officer displayed great gallantry and skill in an engagement between six of our scouts and a similar number of the enemy; all the latter were accounted for, Captain McGregor driving down one out of control.

His final tally was an observation balloon and five enemy airplanes destroyed, plus four planes driven down out of control.

[1][3] McGregor was one of the officers awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross in the King's Birthday Honours on 3 June 1919.

[9][3] In late April 1929, he participated in the New Zealand Air Pageant, entering a de Havilland Gipsy Moth from his Hamilton Airways.

[11] By the end of 1931 he was reported to be carrying air mail from Invercargill, New Zealand to Auckland in a Simmonds Spartan.

[9][3] Entered by the Manawatu Aero Club with H. C. Walker he was one of the contestants in the MacRobertson Air Race in October 1934.

McGregor died in hospital after the wing tip of his fast Miles monoplane hit the anemometer mast in gusty weather while landing at Rongotai airport, Wellington, New Zealand on 19 February 1936.

McGregor with Jean Batten , who made several record-breaking flights in the 1930s
McGregor's Miles M-3B Falcon Major ZK-AEI at the Union Airways base at Milson near Palmerston North