SIX MILES UP

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 155, 26 March 1919, Page 7

SIX MILES UP

HIGHEST CLIMB IN THE SKY WONDERFUL FEAT "British sportsmen will feel a glow of pride at the achievement of the world's record for altitude by Captain Lang, 11.. A.F., and Lieutenant Blowes, in a British biplane with a British designed and British built engine. The air climbers have now not only beaten the mountain climbers, but also in their frosty flight they have risen into thinner air than is pierced by the spire of Mount Everest," says the "Daily Mail." "The pluck of this air feat was magnificent; the pilot knew that if he lost consciousness from lack of oxygon or the withering cold his life was forfeit; but still, although suffering; he soared upwards to his record of nearly six miles, and but for engine stoppage ho ■would have risen even higher. . "It_ would seem, from the physical experiences .of these .two gallant airmen, that six miles is near the limit to which man' will*ever ascend unless new devices are found for cold protection and oxygenisation.

■ The Spires of the World. "The dream of Jules Verne of a trip to the moon will remain a dream. aDd even.the-mountaineers will have to dismiss, their speculations 'as to whether Mount. Everest (2!),002it.) will' ever be climbed. ' Tho airmen had to withstand only- diministed atmospheric pressure and cold, and even that they were able to- relieve with oxygen and warming apparatus. Climbers attempting the higliest mountains could not carry-such apparatus; they would have intense and prolonged muscular exertion; they would have to spend several nights • in tents about 20,000 ft.; for several days they would have to subsist on a minimum of nutrition, because coolies or-porters could aot be taken very high. When the nerve strain of the technical. difficulties of the climb is likewise • taken into account, it does not seem likely that the spires of the world will ever be climbed. Tho new lord of height is the airman,"

The Two Record-breakers, Captain Lang'had' made two previousattacks on the altitude record, which had been'held by America. .Ho is well known in Australian'motor circles, 1 and in 1910 drove a motor-car across' Northern Australia for his' Government in an exploring expedition. "Lieutenant Blowes is an experienced pilot, who in France brought down several Hun planes.. Ho comes from Mitchell,' in Ontario.' Canada. Through a fault in the oxygen apparatus Lieutenant Blowes collapsed,: and at 28,000 ft. the heating apparatus began to work erratically. The machine was brought to.a stop through lack of petrol pump pressure, owing to rarefaction of the air. Luckily Captain Lang, was able to descend slowly, and at 20,000 ft. Lieutenant Blowes recovered consciousness. The two airmen have suffered badly from frost on hands and face. The younger, Lieutenant Blowes—who is only 19, and has been in the Air Force one and a half years—has serious injuries to his hands. Captain Lang, who has been flying since 1915, is very keen on experimental work,' and while delighted with his performance, regards '.it as little more than part of an ordinary day's work. . ■"I have,' said Captain Lang, 'far more instruments to pay attention to than the observer' (to whom lie paid warm tribute for his pluck under a terribly trying ordeal). '1 have to make tho most minute' observations lit every' thousand feet, and these are recorded on a board strapped to my- right leg. .1 have also to note down how the temperajturo changes, the speed at which the machine is climbing, the revolutions, water temperature in the engine, oil temperature, petrol pressure, and gallons of petrol consumed per hour, and occasionally to look over the side to note our bearings.'

"The flight, Captain Lang faid. had been contemplated for some time, and to prepare for it he and his colleague •had remained strict teetotallers and had never indulged in a smoke for weeks. The machine they used was a do Havillnnd ■■bombing-machine,-fitted with a 150 -hip. Napier engine.' They started at half-past eleven in tho morning in a.gale of wind. "Both men were specially clad for the occasion, and the need for this is indicated by the fact that when the machine reached an altitude of 30,500 ft. they encountered about 70 degrees of frost.

" During the first 8000 ft. the machine tossed about like a leaf,' said Captain Lang, 'but afterwards wo settled down to far. more comfortable flying. Generally we climb by taking big sweeping circles, but we. were blown out of our course, and ■when we -were nearly six miles up'we were about 25 miles out at sea, off Yarmouth '

"Asked what were the prevailing conditions at, that height, Capiain Lang said tho sun was shining .brightly, and. although it was a little hazy, he could sec ships far away out at sea, and occasionally glimpses of the 'Thames.

Eye Trouble. "'At 2000 ft. I had to take off my goggles owing to the oxygon frosting on the glass. Thereupon my left eye watered and froze, and was soon as big as a plum. For the next 10,000 ft I was (lying with only ono eye. After the. first 8000 ft. flying became gradually better, but at 20,000 ft. the cable in the revolution counter unfortunately broke. Being unablo to take the records of the revolution counter I took the atmospheric temperatures, and it was lucky I did so, for Lieutenant Blowes had, unknoWn to me, collapsed through the breakage of the tube which'was supplying him with oxygen from one of the r.wo cylinders specialty fitted for the flight.' "Captain Lang said it was most fortunate ho was able (o continue Lieutenant Blowes's work and take the atmospheric temperatures. Without them tho test would have been worthless. "'We got into a very bumpy atmosphere at- 27,000 ft.,' continued the pilot, 'being so tossed about that the machino became uncontrollable. At 28,000 ft. I felt a shortage of oxygen and 1 signalled,' as prearranged, for niore. It was then I found out that he was unconscious, and had been so (as I afterwards discovered) since we Touched 20,000 feet, for he fell back in an attempt to pass me a note. I managed to bang on till we reached 30,500 ft., when the pressure pumps behind the engine ceased to work owing to the' rarefaction, and the engine stopped' 3 • "Speaking of tho descent, Captain Lang siid the first 10,000 ft. occupied twentyfive minute. He was then well off Yarmouth, there being a wind blowing at from 150 to 170 miles an hour. At 20,000 feet tho observer regained consciousness. - '