AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1927, Page 2

AVIATION.

AIR FORCE PAGEANT

(Australian & X.Z. Cable Association.)

LOXDOX, July 2. Nearly 109,000 people, including Their Majesties, the Duke of York and. A* the King of Spain, witnessed Hendon’s best lloyal Air Force pageant since the war. There was a thrilling aerial fight bettv eon a dozen scouts and eight huge night bombers, ending in a route c_ the latter, each of .which by use of smoko emissions, through which rows of electric lights glowed, appeared to be forced down aflame. There was a wonderful final in the destruction of a hostile Arab village, the troop of carriers disembarking a company of infantry and field guns, and then taking up the village's rvliitc escapees. A TRAGIC SEQUEL. OTTAWA. July 2. One of the United States Army planes accompanying Lindbergh crashed when making a landing here. J.ieut. > Johnson was killed. Lindbergh, escorted by planes, brought a message of greeting to Premier King from President Coolidge. for Canada’s Diamond Jubilee. MORE PARTICULARS. J| (Received this day at S a.m.) OTTAWA, Jufy 2. Johnson’s death was due to a misunderstanding of the landing directions. two machines colliding and causing him to crash. The crowds, not knowing of the accident cheered Lindbergh, hut lie sat grim and unsmiling in an automobile. Lindbergh, after lunching at Willlngdons was a guest of honour with the American Minister, Mr Phillips at a Government dinner.

SOUTH POLAR FLIGHT. PARIS. July 3. H.vrd says that the high winds wilt necessitate a three-engined machine for the forthcoming South Polar flight, which will he at an average altitude of 10.000 feet. As a precaution, it will he accompanied hv high-speed oneniotor ’planes, which can dash for help if there is a disaster. FLIGHT ROUND WORLD. XEW YORK. Jufy 2. The Xew York “Times” Washington correspondent states; A flight around the world at the Equator is now in contemplation, and it may have tlta serious attention of the American naval authorities when Commander Ryrtl returns from Europe. This evas made known to-dav by Secretary Wilbur, tvlio said: “ I Mould like to see a man fly round the ivorld at the latitude of the Equator. That, in fact, lias been recommended to me. I understand he probaly will start from Panama.

TR AXS-PACIFIC FLIGHT. SAX FRAXCISC'O. July 2. Consequent on the successful army plane flight- to Honolulu and Byrd’s trans-Atlantic dash, the Chairman of the Sail Francisco Citizens’ Committee plans to arrange a race across the Pacific. . It is sugested that the proposed flight to Honolulu he lengthened to San Francisco and Australia. A purse of fifty thousand dollars for a prize is being raised. It is stated that the flight Mould strengthen the commercial friendship between the United States and Australia. MAPPING OF OCEAN* COURSES. XEW YORK. July US*. Speaking at Rapids City, President Coolidge stated that such progress in trans-oeeanie flights has been made that lie believed the time has come for | international co-operation in the mapping of oceanic courses, which Mould® he lighted and protected by radio communication, along with a reasonable number of sea landing places.

The President intimated that the Government experts are already considering the subject, and that efforts wiii’ be made to interest American capitalists, inducing them to invest in such undertakings. The President believed that next Congress would propose treaties with other Powers hordering on the Pacific and the Atlantic to facilitate transoceanic aviation. IiYHD INJURED. PARIS, July 2. It transpires that the jolt before landing in the sea injured Byrd’s chest and fractured Acosta’s collarbone. Both.were treated bv a surgeon. Byrd hopes to set out for the South Pole in October from Punta Arenas, finishing in Australia. He plans an exact

copy of the ” America ” will’ he built at Amsterdam in August and probably taken out to New Zealand in Septem-

ber tor the final tests. On his return Belcher will organise a record transAtlantic flight from New York to Oslo in the autumn of 1928 in a three-en-gined I'okker. BYRD’S ACCOUNT. PARTS, July 2.

In a statement, Commander Byrd said: “)\o were lost as soon as we reached l-ranee. The compass, which m ably served Lindbergh would not work lor us and the rain, fog and darkness shut out everything.”

“Mtv were flying lower and lower, and it was evident we couldn’t continue,” said Byrd, in describing the end of the journey. ”1 loured lor the lives of my men, ynd so, when f saw the lighthouse, I determined to land, whatever happenod. 5\ e grounded sooner than we expected tearing off the wheels of the landing gear. The cabin began to till with water. We succeeded in saving our valuable scientific data, and everything else of importance. L' telling of the voyage across, Commander Byrd saiyl: “After leaving America, we did not see either sky or water, and our watches stopped at two o’clock. The flight lasted forty three hours, sixteen minutes, and it i.s computed that the aeroplane covered 3.812 miles, compared with Lindbergh’s thirty-six hours and 3,610 miles and Chamberlain’s forty-one hours, fifty-five minutes, 3700 miles. The unfortunate loss of direction ends the possibility of a return flight. Byrd nevertheless says; The flight under appalling conditions, established valuable facts. For instance, he says: “it was established for the first time the height at which the Atlantic aeroplane encounters the most favourable weather, and we have secured data of the clouds which we encountered during the whole nineteen hours. In one way. I am not disappointed that we landed on the water, as it dispels the doubt as to how a lifeboat would work. Ours proved launchable, even in great haste, hut we descended solely beeaust wo had to. It would have hen too dangerous to risk a night landing antongs the villages. Hence I resolved to sacrifice the aeroplane. It depends on its condition, whether we shall rebuild the plane and take it home.”

PARISIAN WKI.COME. PARIS. July 2. In pouring rain, a huge crowd welcomed Commander Byrd and his companions. on their arrival at Paris. They were little the worse for their experience. The Americans subsequently attended the Klvsee. where they were received by President Doumergue. The machine. Miss America, is being packet at Versurnier for convey-, ar.ee to Le Bourget-.