AVIATION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 5 December 1927, Page 6

AVIATION

SMITH’S ENDURANCE FLIGHT UNSUCCESSFUL’ ATTEMPT. A LITTLE OVER TWO HOURS ALUj-l. San Francisco, Dec. 2. Captain Kingsford-Smith and Lieut. George Pond, of the United States Navy, took off at 8.55 this morning in an attempt to put up an endurance record. Their ’plane had been renamed the Spirit of California. It carried 1418 gallons of petrol. The aviators intended to fly over Northern and Southern California but if unfavourable weather conditions develop they will cruise in the south over the Mojave desert. A German airman. Edward Risticz. created the existing record. 52 hours 22 minutes 21 seconds, in August last The 'plane made one false start before actually Hopping off. The tail skidded off the side of the board runway on the first attempt, nut the 'plane was stopped without accident, taken back, warmed up and took the air without accident after running sumo 2600 feet. It made a perfect getaway, despite me tremendous load, and was m the nir within 36 seconds after re-starting. The weather was clear and flying conditions excellent, Later. Captain Kingsford-Smith returned and brought his ’plane to a safe landing. He immediately announced that he would make a second attempt at dawn to-morrow The fliers had been only 2hrs. 19mins, aloft when air currents over the sea and Port land Bay shook the heavily loaded ’plane so violently that the oiiof experienced the gieatest difficulty in controlling the mail, ue and wa-. impelled to dump n J gallons of petrol 40 miles out from the Golden Gate. They sent radio messages before landing saying the tall of the 'plane was fluttering and the windshield sheltering the' cockpij; was coming uni stuck.—(A, and N.Z.i SECUND ATTEMPT ALSU FAILS. (Received 5, 9.45 a.m.) Naw York, Dec. 4. The Spirit of California, which left at 7.45 on a second attempt to estab. I'sh an endurance record returned i-t 10.8. Captain Kingsford-Smith, in a radio message, said: “We are returning to Mills Field again. We encountered bumpy air, resulting in call Hutter the same as yesterday. Going to try again to-morrow.”—’(A and N.Z.J Mclntosh and hinkler, Landon, Dec 3. Captain Mclntosh and Bert Hinkler have arrived in London. The former declared that the flight will be attempted again in February or March, when better weather may be expected. They found after landing in Poland that the remaining petrol would only carry them to Afghanistan, where descent ws? unthinkable. The aeroplane might possibly be repaired.—(A. and N.Z.j GILES TO TAKE A REST. Sa n Francisco, Dec. 3. Captain Giles announced that he has abandoned further attempts at a Pacific flight because “he is run down and all in.” Hi- -ays his Detroit backer Mr. ftosewa.rne, wul probably find another pilot. Giles to take a long rest.—(A. and N.Z.) '