AVIATION

Evening Star, Issue 19664, 17 September 1927, Page 4

AVIATION

TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT IRISH MACHINE TAKES OFF Pros* Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 10, (deceived September 17, at 9.10 a.m.) Captain MTntosh, accompanied by Commandant Fitzmaurice, of tlie Free State Air Force, took off from Baldonnal for America at 1.34 this morning. The weather was cold and windy, and the sky was overcast. AN EXPERIENCED AVIATOR. RUGBY, September 16, • (Received September 17, at 11 a.m;) Captain MTntosh and Commandant Fitzmaurice started on their Transatlantic flight at 1.30 p.m, to-day from the Baldonnel aerodrome, Dublin,' They have been waiting at Baldonnel for eleven days, determined to start as soon as ‘better conditions were reported over the Atlantic._ Their aeroplane, the Princess Xenia, is a Fokker monoplane. It has- no wireless apparatus, hut carries a rubber boat with two paddles. Tho machine is capable of carrying 701 gallons of petrol, and can stay in tho air for forty-ono hours. It lias a range '• of 3,977 miles. It is fitted with a BristolJupitcr engine of 510 maximum horsepower, and has a speed of 125 miles an hour. . ,

Captain MTntosh has had a great experience as a flier, having crossed the English Channel more times than any other pilot. He recently completed his eight years’ service on the London-Paris route. His companion, Commander Fitzmaurice, is the officer in command of the Irish Free States Air Force. Discussing his chances of success the other day, Captain MTntosh said: “We shall not be foolhardy. The whole of the flight which wo propose to make has been properly organised. Our machine will definitely do the range. Wo have full confidence in our engine, and, personally, 1 have, the fullest confidence in my own abilities in conjunction with Commandant Fitzmaurico. Although wo believe that there is a certain amount of risk, we have endeavored (o reduce it to, the, minimum.” Before starting Uic flight io-day Captain MTntosh said that ho expected to reach New York in twentysix hours. SEAPLANE CRASH FIVE MEN KILLED. LONDON, September IG. (Received September 17, at 9.10 a.m.) A United Press message from Berlin reports that five non-commissioned officers were killed in a seaplane crash at Herzegovina (Jugo-Slavia).