SOUTHERN CROSS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 72, 26 March 1934, Page 10

SOUTHERN CROSS

THE RETURN FLIGHT

CENTENARY AIR RACE

Two members of the crew of the Southern Cross, Captain P. G. Taylor, navigator, and. Mr.. J. S. W. Staunage, wireless operator, who are .to accompany Sir Charles Kingsford Smith on his return flight to Australia this week, arrived by tho Maraina today, from Sydney- . . The Southern Cross was to have left Auckland ;today for New Plymouth for refitting, and will leave in a day or two for the Ninety Mile Beach to await suitable conditions for the flight. Others who will make the return flight to Australia will be Mr. T. Pethybridge, second pilot, and Mr. J. Pereival, passenger. On this flight the Southern Cross will carry the second official air mail. Captain Taylor told a "Post" representative today' that the" Ninety Mile Beach was a suitable place to take off for the trip across the Tasman Sea. It was unlikely that a better place could be found, as there was an unlimited run with a perfect surface. The nearest place to Australia was the extreme southern point of the South Island. From Hobart, Tasmania, to Invercargill was about 200 miles shorter than the northern route. That route, however, would only be suitable in making a West to east crossing on account of the prevailing westerly winds. Tor the same reason it would be a most unsuitable ! route for the return passage. Captain Taylor said that a flight across the'Tasmas Sea was a perfectly normal procedure, carried .out in the same manner as a sea journey.' The passage, in •fact, was considerably smoother than that . usually encountered on, the sea, and with the development of a suitable typo of aircraft would be at least equally as. safe. . '...... / , Sir Charles, said' Captain Taylor, would probably bo entering for the.centenary air race from England to Australia this year. He intended going to England via America, and would select a machine for the race.in either of those countries, according to where the most suitable one could be obtained. At the present time.there was no standard British machine which would be suitable'for the race so far as speed was concerned. It was understood, however, that the De Havilland Aircraft Company was producing an aeroplane which might in the matter of speed be comparable to tho fast-type of American aircraft. ; This machine had not yet been built, and nothing definite regarding its suitability could be given. Questioned regarding the possibility of him entering for the centenary air race, Captain1 Taylor said that it was probable that he would go to England towards the middle of the year on business and to accompany Sir Charles in the race. TENDERS FOR MAIL SERVICE. Captain Taylor said that tenders had been, received for. the operation of the Australian air mail services, including the overseas section from Darwin to Singapore,, and it was probable that during the.next few months the name of the successful tenderer would be announced. Although tenders had been submitted by a leading, aircraft operating company overseas, it was likely that the services, including the overseas portion, would be operated by an all-Aus-tralian concern. • ■■•■ Captain Taylor and Mr. Stannage left for New Plymouth today to join the Southern Cross. "