R.A.F. TO ATTEMPT RECORD

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 27, 26 October 1937, Page 6

R.A.F. TO ATTEMPT RECORD

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Non-Stop Flight' Nexi Year ENGLAND-AUSTRALIA

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LONDON, Sept. 27. The Royal Air Force is making plans to associate its proposed attack on the world 's non-stop flight record with the 1938 anniversary celebrations in Sydaey. A representative of the Sun-Herald newa service was informed at the Air Ministry to-day that the flight would be made to Singapore and continue to Sydney if the experts wero satisfied that the new Vickers Wellesley bomber was suitable for the task. Exhaustive investigations will be concluded shortly and an early announcement is expected. From London to Singapore by the great circle route is approximatelv 7000 miles. This is believed to bo well within the range of the bomber if petrol tanks are substituted for service equipment. The Air Ministry has had its eye on the record i'or some time, but has been too busy giving attention to immcdiato service needs to design a speciai l.mgdistance machine. In view, however, of the request from the Commonweaith that the attempt be linked up with the 193S celebrations, a special effort will be made to adapt the bomber. The present official record is held by the French for their flight from the United States to Syria in 1933, the distance being 5690 miles. The Soviet transpolar flight from Moscow to California (6750 miles) has nofyct been recognised. To establish a new record, the previoue ligure must be beaten by at least 100 kilometres. Flight-Lieutenant H. M. Schoficld, a former member of a British Schneider Cup team and a King's Cup winner, says he is all in favour of an attempted non-stop flight from England to Australai. "That is," he added, "provided it demonstrates something of outstanding military or commercial value. No real purpose is scrved by demonstrating physical endurance alone. "Freak aspects should be rigorously avoided. A non-stop "flight with refuelling in the air would achieve something from both the military and commercial angles."