AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1920, Page 2

AVIATION.

CAPE TO CAIRO ROUT*

WONDERFUL FLYING

(By Electric Telegraph —Co ' > 'igh ;

LONDON, Fob. 11

The secrecy concerning the Cairo to Cape flight continues. Competing firms absolutely decline information until Egypt is reached. According to official information Lieut Cotton is still at Le Bourget,

but varying reports are abroad. The Australian Press learns from unofficial but reliable sources, that his machine did not touch Le Bourget, but made a magnificent ten hours flight from Lympne and landed u> the dark near Brindisi.

The longest flight from England yet accomplished is the performance of the South African machine Silver Queen, of fourteen hours. After flying all night long in adverse, weather, it landed at Solium on Sunday and proceeded to Cairo oil Monday,

There is no news of the Handle.vPago plane since it left Brindisi. Cockerell’s Vickers machine is still undergoing repairs at Khartoum. It is understood the Blackburn Company contemplate entering for the race ind are negotiating with an Australian lirmnn.

Meanwhile negotiations for securing an engine for the “Kangaroo” machines are proceeding. When the engine is mounted on the machine, the question of whether the Kangaroo will he diverted to the Cape instead of a new machine being used, will be considered.

Wilkins does not participate m Further stages of the flight, but may return to Australia or engage in a few months study in preparation for Cone’s Alitaretic expedition.

Rendle, Potts, amt other mechanics are determined to carry oil ill the Kangaroo, preferably to Australia, rather than the Gape. Investigation is pending in reference to the recovery of insurance on the damaged engine. Cope’s Antarctic aeroplane is nearing completion.

THE BIG SECRET FLIGHT. (Received This Day at 3 a.m.) CAIRO, Feßrmiry 13.

Water trouble compelled the Vickers machine to descend in a dry swamp where it is impossible to repair the machine. The airmen have returned to Gebeleint to overhaul tlie engines.