THE V.-V.'S FLIGHT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 228, 20 June 1919, Page 7

THE V.-V.'S FLIGHT

STORY OF THE START

FACED ATLANTIC IN HALF A GALE By Telegraph—Press Association—Cotivriirht (Rec. June 20, 1.35 a.m.) New York, June 14. The New York "TimesV St. John's correspondent reports that the VickcrsVimy aeroplane started for England under especially hazardous circumstances. A veering wind was blowing with l!io strength of half a gale. Mr. Muller, head of Vickers's aviation department, forbade Alcock to make the start, but the pilot finally succeeded, in obtaining permission. The 'plane rose a hundrcl feet in the air and fought the. wind valiantly, but because it was heavily loaded did not succeed at hist in gaining altitude. But at last the machine shot higher and circled over St. John's, then headed seaward.

, Alcock expressed the hope that he would average ninety miles an hour for the entire News of the departure was sent out broadcast by the Marconi station to all ships at sw with the request that they give assistance if necessary. Two black cats, as mascots, accompanied the aviators in the _ bipl;...c. Brown also carried a tiny American Hag, given him by iiis fiancee (Brown is an American). Each aviator was wearing electrically-heated waistcoat, gloves, and boots, and carried a flask of brandy and six sandwiches, aud several bottles of coffee and water. The aviators at first took cigarettes, but later decidsd not to smoke because of the danger of igniting the petrol.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn,