BRITAIN AFTER NEW SPEED RECORD

Chronicle (Levin), 15 July 1946, Page 5

BRITAIN AFTER NEW SPEED RECORD

Received Sundav, 7.5 p.m. LONDON,. July 12. "We have been ordered to sot a new record and to lceep it beyond the reach of our friends the Americans," said Group-Captain Edward Donaldson, j D.S.O., A.F.C., leadcr of Britain 's High Speed Fliglit, to an Australian Assoeiated Press eorrespondent after returning from a 600-mi!e-an-hour erilise. He added that the attempt would be made probably on August 14. "I am ainiing at 1000 kilometres (623 miles) 'an hour," he said. "I won't be satisfied with less than tliat." Gyoilp-Captain Donaldson said that he and two associates, SquadronLeader Willi am Waterton, A.F.C., and Flight-Lieutenant Neville Duke, D.S.O., D.F.C., would each have a chanee of setting a reeord. These pilots Avere selected by Fighter Command, but according to Group-Captain Donaldson they have no speeial qualifications. "We are just reasonablv sound, " lie declared. ' ' Anyhow, it. will be a d d easy job, just like sitting in a cnr."

The tliree-kilometre course will bo flown between Little Hampton and Worthing. The planes will be standard Meteor 5's. vTlie machines will fly over crowded beaches at a.height of only .100 feet, but the pilots claira that there will-be" no danger to holiday makers, because the Meteors are capable of glidiug up to 12,500 feet if both engines failed. The High Speed Flight team consists Of only .15 men, including fitters and polisliers. Their lieadquartei's until after the record attempt will be tTTe Tangmere Fighter Station, which is under the command of Wing-Command-er W. G. Clouston, of New Zealand,.