FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 17, 15 October 1919, Page 7

FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA

* . A SURPRISE FOR THE AIRMEN PETROL SUPPLIES NOT ADEQUATE By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyiißht (Hoc. October H, (i.il p.m.) London, October 13. A surpriso development threatens to postpone tho departure o£ tho aeroplanes for Australia. Tho Air -Ministry informed tho competitors today that it "finds that the supplies of petrol at several essential iierouronics <m route to India are insufficient." Matthews intends to defy tho Air Convention, Hying over Germany and landing in SeHiia, liumania, and Turkey.—United Service. WALLABY MACHINE DESCRIBED. 'London, October IJ. • The Sopwith aenn/ane "Wallaby," which Captain G. C. Matthews is using on the flight to Australia, is a similar machine to that usod in the trans-Atlantic flight by llarry Hawker, only somewhat stionger, in view of posible rough landings. The strengthening of the machine, however, does not make any difference in its speed. It has a, maximum speed of 121 miles per hour, and the lowest 4S miles. Its cruising 6peed at- 5000 ft. is 107 miles per hour on fifteen gallons of petrol. Tho machine can lie liown either .open or as- an enclosed and weii'.ventikted limousiue, as the weather dictates. Complete dual control is provided, whereby either the pilot or the observer can fly the machine. The machine, carries smoke bombs to enable the aviators to estimate the drift. Captain Matthews has devised special instruments to correct the compasses. The exhaust is carried well aft, so as to diminish the noise. The machine is able to carry eight persons, and is also adapted for the carriage of mail matter—Aus.-N.Z. CaV.o Assn. POULET'S THIRD TRY. (Rec. October H, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, October 13. Fog prevented Poulet's third attempt. He expects that moro favourable weather will permit him• to start to-day— Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. A START AT LAST. (Rec. October 15, 0.30 a.m.) Paris, October U. Poulev again started on his flight to Melbourne at seven o'clock this morning. The weather was splendid.—Aus.N.Z. Cablo Assn. THE TRANS-AMERICAN AIR EACE. New York, October 13.' Captain Smith, from San Francisco, cltiims to have arrived at New York sooner than Lieutenant Maynard arrived at San Francisco. Captain Smith's time was 1A hours 30 minutes. Lieutenant Maynard hopes later to cross the Continent in a special machine in two days.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. . [Lieutenant Maynard's time was given at 21 hours 52 minutes aoi seconds.] THE TRANS-AMERICA CONTEST (Rec. October 14, 8.20 p.m.) New York, October 13. It is reported that fivo trans-Contin-ental fliers from Mineola have arrived at San Francisco and two have arrived at Mineola from San Francisco, making a total of seven flyers who have completed one way in the journey. It is announced from Washington that flyers will now be permitted to return to huurs alter completing one way.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.