TRIP “WITHOUT A BUMP”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20030, 31 August 1939, Page 11

TRIP “WITHOUT A BUMP”

STORM OFF N.Z. COAST

DEVIATION TO NORFOLK IS

EMERGENCY BASE

(For Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day

Characterised by routine efficiency, the survey flight of the Boeing Clipper over the new ocean route of nearly 8000 miles, was completed without incident. The entire journey was made “without a bump,” and the only adverse weather was experienced off the New Zealand epast when driving rain squalls and a strong north-westerly wind were encountered.

The Clipper took off from Noumea at 7.58 a.m., New Zealand time, her departure being delayed' for about an hour to enable extra perlol to be loaded, and subsequent radio reports kept the base officials constantly informed cf i .he flying-boat’s progress across the Pacific'. After diverting from her course to pass over Norfolk Island shortly after 10 o’clock, the machine made her New Zealand' landfall at North Cape and proceeded down the west coast to Auckland.

“From the time we left San Francisco to landing at Auckland the trip was without incident,” stated Captain Tilton. “For us, it was just a matter of routine flying.” Light north-westerly winds were experienced after leaving Noumea for Auckland! and, flying at 4000 ft., the Clipper deviated from her course to pass over Norfolk Island and allow the personnel to sum up its possibilities as a landing base in an emergency. From 110 miles an hour after the take-off the speed of the (lyingboat gradually increased and, for the most part, she was flying a* a moderate altitude at about 175 miles an hour

The flight from San Francisco involved iong ocean stages without sight of land, but with half-hourly sigiits .taken and radio bearings also periodically obtained', :‘.he calculations proved fractionally accurate. Much of .the actual ,pilotage was performed by the first and second officers, hut the perfect landing .at Auckland, was undertaken with Captain Tilton at the controls.