AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1927, Page 3

AVIATION.

OFF TO HONOLULU. (Australian A- N.Z. Cable Association.) SAN FRANCISCO. Jum- 23. Lieutenants Leicester Maitland and Albert f fegenberger. the latter acting as navigator took oil ironi Oakland a 7.!) this morning in a three motor Fokkor army monoplane to attempt a, non-stop Might, to Honolulu. Tliev passed Golden Oate at t .20 and swung out into the Pacific. Maitland estimated tln-.v should reach I fa\\ ai i in 27 hours. The plane is loaded with 18,000 pounds of fuel supplies, and was escorted ten miles out to sea by Army planes. Ernest Smith, a competitor in the Might watched Maitland and Hungei.btrger depart and then took off himself at 0.30. but the windshield of his single motored travel air machine blew in. and in* returned. When liesaw bis opponents suddenly don their helmets and jump into the plane and roar away. Sm.itli said: “I can give them two hours and beat them. Spectators believed the aviators were posing for photographers until Maitland shouted “Good-bye hoys, we re o(r.” Atmospheric conditions over the Pacific are ideal.

ON THE WAY. SAN l-RANCISCO. June 29. Vue Army plane passed the- mail steamer Sonoma at 2.-If this afternoon. 7-K) miles out from here. Smith's Might is postponed.

ELY CANCELLED

SAX FRANCISCO. June 28

Smith and Capt. Carter, navigator, after wailing several hairs decided to indefinitely postpone their venture. It is understood the aeroplane which has an old engine is not suit 1 for a long distance flight.

All! MISSION. PERTH. June 29

A special mission from the llriti-h Air Ministry which is to investigate Australian and New Zealand conditions has arrived in Australia. The party Comprises Group Capt. hello,wes, Might Lieut. Nixon and Lieut. A. Gi.blett, Supt. of the airship section i f the British meteorological cflicc. The mission is concerned with Britain's experimental programme for the construction of airships designed in secure quicker intei-eoimuuiiieali n Lelv.oon the Dominions and the Mother country. The party said it was probable a demonstration Might to Australia and New Zealand will take place in 1930. It should be possible to plan a limetable on the assumption that the regular time for passing between Australia and England would be eleven days.