RECORD-BREAKING FLIGHT

Chronicle (Levin), 14 May 1946, Page 4

RECORD-BREAKING FLIGHT

EXCiflNG EXPERIENCES As a large Mitchell B 25 bomber toubhed down at Sydney'S Mascdt aerddrome on the afternoon . of April 4, they received this a'dvi'ce from the control tower-: "Ctirigfatulatibns America, ybii have ;jus| broken the Tasman Qceah fiight record." In the bOinber were Colbnel C. W. Gordon, tr.S.A.A.F., deputy commander of. -jbiht airwayS' and commiinicatiohs ih the Pabine afea, and Commander P. MUller, U.S.N., who is attaehed._to the Stg.fi of the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific fleet. LeaVing Auckland the Mitchell covered the distance of 116b mileS ih 5 hours; 4 niinutes, beating .the previous record of 5 hours, 37 minutes held by a SuperFortress. The Mitchell , had no assisting wind, and the fiight was without ineident. Colbnel Gordon and Commander Muller are at present e'ngaged in a siirvey fiight of airway ihStailatidhs and communications controls in the Pacific. " The party had an exciting experienee while en rotite from Cahtoh to Tonga Tabu. The 'plane was struck by lightning, wiiich put'theif fadio gear out of action. Cbmmander Muller, describing .the ineident, said: "The ship stopped suddenly, and a ball of fire eneircled the 'plane for a few seconds. Luckily the wireiess trailing aerial acted as a dischar'ge ageht and saved the 'plane from destruction. I can tell -you we are lucky to be in Australia. We were just about to change our fuel line, and ih this operation there was invariabl.y a quantity of gas fumbs aboiit thd ship. Had the lightning stfiick us at that moment it would have been eurtains for us. Luckily Colonel Gordon, who was at the coritrols, saW b'ad weathei* ahead and delayed the operation. HoWever, our radio transmitter was burnt out, and, left without contact with the outside world and ho reports at scheduled intervals, we were reported missing. A small emergency set in the cockpit was operated, and we luckily contacted a Royal New Zealand Air Force 'plane cruising in the vicinity, and he was able to relay our messages. This R.N.Z.A.F. officer did a really finb job for iis, and we .intend tb coihmunibatfe with the New Zealand Government and commend the pilbt for his great assistance tb us." Colonel Gordon reported another thrill during the present trip. While en route tb New Zealand he Ibarried of the terrific tidal waves and cyclones being experienced in Hawaii, and felt concern for his family. A radio message was sent to the 'plane, telling him that his family at Hickam Field, Pearl Harbour, • were safe and well, and Colonel Gordon was able to con:binue the trip in a much more settled frame of mind. Celohel Gordon has been a member bf the U.S-.A.A.F. for 20 years-, and prior to this war had seen service in the South-West Pacific Theatre. He was posted to operationS in this area in 1943 as commander of the 71st Group and later served as deputy commander of the wing staff in the New Guinea and Leyte iriva?iohs. His decoratio'ns include the Bronze Star, the Victory Medal, and seven stars of the Pacific and Phillippine campaigns. -Commander Muller was formerly an Australian, and became ,a U.S. citizen in 1925,. .He was called to duty from the U.S.N. Reserve at the outbreak of war in 1939, and was at Pearl Harbour when the Japanese staged their sneak attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet he'adquarters. Commander . . Muller . was born at Palmerston North and educated in Australia, he has also been well decorated for his part in Pacific campaigns. He is a nephew of Mrs. C. W. Mebor, of Levin.