ATLANTIC FLIGHT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 217, 7 June 1919, Page 7

ATLANTIC FLIGHT

THE HANDLEY-PAGE BIPLANE TO BE READY WITHIN A FORTNIGHT Br Telegraph—Press ABSociation-Oopyrlßhl New York, May 23 (delayed). . The Handley .Page'bombing biplane which is being assembled here will bo the largest aeroplane to attempt tho trans-Atlantic flight. Fully loaded, the machine will carry 29,9431b. It" is equipped with four Rolls-Royce 8-cyliiider engines, generating a total of 1500 Jiorcsepower. ft is estimated that-the : engihes will consume 108. gallons of petrol per hour (lying at a speed of !)0 miles an hour. The machine will carry 2376 gal J lons of petrol.' It is equipped with & wireless plant,, with a. receiving radius o£ 251) miles.

The aeroplane ran continue lo fly even'' if two of the engines are not working. .Tho estimated, cost of the biplane •is .£24,000. It is'expected that it: will be ready'for a test flight within a fortnight. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable A.ssn.

HAWKER'S ATTEMPT THE CHOICE OE ROUTES. London, May 25 (dela.ve3). Hawker's .aeroplane was not twenty miles but of its course when its Verey light was'seen: Though tho British airmen were not; assisted by a chain of destroyers like the Americans, they kept their' course equally well. Still it is a question, whether (lie choice of tho northern instead of the Azores routo wa» justified. _ The news of the rescue of the airmen was -quicklv conveyed to Buckingham I'alace, and" the King and Queen immediately sent telegrams of congratulation to Mrs. Hawker and Lieutenant Griove'fi mother and father. Mrs. Hawker, in an interview, «tid: "I knew he would rein rn all right.. '[.believe lie will try thfl Atlantic flight again: A failure like this will not stop him, but will make him all the more, determined."

■Experts point _ out. that (lie englnd mishap whs trivial. A stoppage of the" vraterpipo between the radiator, and the water pump caused the circulation of the ■water to stop; 'ami it rapidly boiled away, so that, the engine became heated. It was impossible to correct the defect in the air, and Hanker was unable 'to rise from the sell, as nis aeroplane was not a seaplane. If it had had floats it could have been repaired and the flight continned— Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

AUSTRALIAN- CONGRATULATIONS. ■ .London, June 5. Sir .Joseph Conk lias sent the follow ing message to Hawker: "Heartiest congratulations. to yi)u both, You havo thrilled the world, and won tho prize of its gratitude and appreciation by your ■adventure." Australia is . proud of her valiant'son." .' , • Senator Pearce, on behalf of tho Australian forces, .expressed admiration ol ."the spirit and determination displayed by our gallant countryman in Jiis courageous endeavour to 1)0 the pioneer of the air across the Atlantic. ' -AYe regret .iliut your success was not complete, but liie experience will be invaluable for future aviation."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assil.

: ENGLANDTOAIiSIRALIA THREE' A USTI! AT,TA NS TO START IN A \YF,KK. . ...... > (Rec. Jime 7, 1.20 a-.m.j' : - j London, June 5. '.'Three Ausfraliahs, 'Lieutenants' King.® ford Smith, "VI Reiidle, and C. B. Maddocks, will leave I.eed :t week hence for Australia, flying in a ; twin-engined Black-burn-ltolls-Royce Kangaioo biplane. They will cany sufficient, petrol for a. 1350miles lion-stop juurn'oy. They will also tako a small quantity of cargo. They will call :at Port Dvwin, .Brisbane, Sydney, 'knd . Melbouoie..—An's.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ... SAN FRANCISCO TO AUSTRALIA PRi/,E OFFERED-FOR THE FLIGHT, - (Rec.-June 6i ■ j 1.13 p-m.) ; New York, June 5. ' The Ken'' York, "Times" learns from 1 San Francisco that it is reported, that Thomas Inoe, the kinerna. producer has offered ;!' prize (if n.iOA-dcllars. for'fl flight from San Francisco lo Australia.—Aus#N.Z.- Cable Assn.

MISHAP TO GIANT TRIPLANE :CAI'TAIN-J?ATALLl r INJURED; . (Bee. June G, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 26. A giant Tarrant triplane met with a piishap at.an"initial trial at Farnbor* ourli. It nose-dived to earth, and Cap* tain A. T. Ra\yllns was fatally and Lieu, tenant"" Dririnc" "badly injured. Soma ethers were injured— Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn." -