AIR FLYING.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1927, Page 3

AIR FLYING.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association

AIRMAN’S REPORT

BERLIN, .June G. Chamberlain interviewed, .said: “We had favourable following winds for twenty-four hours whilst over the ocean, and over England the weather "'as also particularly good, a wind coming from the south, helping us, hut the conditions changed dramatically in the Channel where a great squall buffeted the Columbia badly. Heavy rain was encountered, but the machine weathered tile storm splendidly. Once beyond the Channel ue were confident we would attain our

goal. Unfortunately at a. 30 our fuel

ran out and we decided to land near jffelfda. W’e at practically nothing on ■the way and were very hungry and thirsty when we climbed out. But for the oil giving out. we could have gone on flying. I was tired of course, hut Hying becomes largely mechanical.” Levine expressed keen disappointJJi£nt at the mishap, hut both were Remarkably fit and looking forward to reaching Berlin by air. The propeller cannot he repaired before to-inorroiv.

TWO AIRMEN KILLED. LON DON, ' J line G. Two aeroplanes collided when air racing at Bournemouth. Both pilots. Longton and Openshaw, well-known aviators, were killed. Squadron-leader Longton and a civilian pilot, Openshaw, were flying in the same race and when taking the turn for the last lap in mid-air, the wings became interlocked and the planes crashed afire. Longton was burned to death and Ipenshaw died of injuries.

The crush occurred tiro miles from Bournemouth in vieiv of thousand* of holiday makers. It was near the spot where Longton was fired on (raided on April 16th). Ollier aviators saw the crash and descended. Farm workers, despite a huge mass of flames quickly removed Openshaw, whose machine was on top, from the burning debris, hut '"he died en route to the hospital. Longton’s body was charred beyond recognition and was not recovered till the flames were spent. Longton was one of the ablest pilots in the Air Force and was known as the King of Stuntists. Openshaw was married six weeks ago.

CHAMBJSRLA IN’S LAND I NO. (Received this clay at 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, June (i. Throughout the morning, various telegrams gave different names of the spot where Chamberlain first landed. It now appears certain that it was at Helfdn, near Eisleben, where a shortage of petrol compelled his descent at 7.40, alter flying for forty-four hours and beating Lindbergh’s record. fie took aboard one hundred lilies of petrol, and resumed his flight after 115 minutes rest. Apparently he miscalculated the direction and flew too far south. Then it is believed trouble with the German fuel forced him to descend eighty miles south-east of Berlin. He landed in a marshy meadow and broke his p/opellor and buried the nose of his machine and the undercarriage ill the mud. The aviators were unhurt and will be taken to Berlin by aeroplane to-morrow.

FLYING PROJECTS. (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) NEW YORK, .Time 0. Two non-stop flights to Europe to prove commercial transportation of passengers and freight across the At-

lantic by air is near. In the opinion tlio Government and aviation officials with fuel stations at Newfoundland and Ireland, planes will have plenty of room to carry passengers and mails.