AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1927, Page 3

AVIATION.

(Australian Press Association & Sun. AX All! ATTEMPT. PARIS, Sept. 2. Ciivou anti C’orbu started from Lo Bourget to New York in the biplane “Bluebird” at G. 32 in the morning, but struck a fog and returned to Lc Bourget at 8 o'clock, circling the aerodrome using ui> petrol and apparently failing to land owing to a heavy load. The “Bluebird” is an itnnn use Parman Goliath loft, high with t ■ o 4"0 h.p. engines, mounted boi-ixonudh-giving Iheappearance of a flying boat, except that the fuselage takes the place of a hull. The “Bluebird” landed. ANXIETY IX EXGLAND. LONDON, Sept. 2. Tho absence of any news of the “St Raphael” at midnight, caused great anxiety ns to the safety of jtho airmen, Hamilton and Minchin, and the Princess Loewenstein Wcrheim.

Absolutely nothing has been heard of them since they passed over Galway, Ireland, at noon on AVednesdnv.

A report that the Air Ministry bad hoard some news of them at 1.30 o’clock last night, is denied. Fine weather has prevailed on the Atlnntic, with exception of the fog oil' Newfoundland.

It is estimated that the “St. Raphael” cannot remain in the air any longer than forty-three hours. It has been ascertained that Hamilton informed Capt. Chambers, the airship expert, before leaving, tliat in the event of mooting adverse weather oil' Newfoundland coast, be would endeavour to skirt the land and go direct to New York. The experts are of the opinion that tho “St. Raphael” may have gone straight to land and became stranded somewhere in the north of Xcwfoiindland, unobserved, owing to the log. On tho other band, the “St. Raphael” may have deviated in the direction of New York and may have landed oii some lonely part of the coast. NINE HOURS OVERDUE. OTTAWA, Sept. 1. At midnight to-night the Saint Raphael was nine hours overdue. Reports were circulated during the night that a west-bound aeroplane bad been sighted near Montreal, but when this was traced, it disclosed that it was npt the Saint Raphael. Tho fear is now growing that the plane lias been forced down by fuel shortage. OTTAAYA, Sept. 1. The officials of the Government Air Force have been unable to verify a rumour that tho St. Raphael was forced down seven hundred miles east of Ottawa by a lack of fuel.

LATEST CONCLUSION. VANCOUVER, Sept. 1. A message from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, states: At midnight on Thursday the signal station here closed, in the belief that it- is certain the St. Raphael is down, and that any further watch is believed to be hopeless. OTHER PLANES READY. LONDON, Sept. 1. French airmen are awaiting news of the “St. Raphael” to start for America. Even should the “St. Raphael” fail it seems unlikely that this will prevent the start of the “Bluebird” machine, which is expected to take off to-mor-row. ~ ~ The Junkers, plane at Bremen is also prepared to make another attempt to-morrow. LONDON, Sept. 1. Mr Levine says that, in the event of no word being beard from the “St Raphael,” lie will attempt a flight to America immediately the weather is favourable. Hinehcliffe lias been given one month’s leave by the Imperial Airways to accompany Levine, on condition that an insurance policy is arranged to provide for the payment to tho Imperial Airways of £2OOO in the event of Hinehcliffe not returning to duty at the expiration of his leave.

CANADIAN PLANE FORCED DOWN VANCOUVER, Sept, 1. ■A message from "Windsor, in Ontario, states: The Windsor plane was forced down at St. John, in Quebec, with a wing afire, causing a slight damage. It will resume in the morning. INTERRUPTED by fog. VANCOUVER, Sept, 1. A message from Caribou, in the State of Maine, states that the monoplane “Carling” landed there this evening, fog having forced it from its course, and interrupted its flight. REDFERN STILL MISSING. VANCOUVER, Sept. 1. ' Later advices on the upper Amazon, Para in Brazil, indicate that the report of the landing of Rcdfern is groundless. A search of the interior of Brazil is being continued. “PRIDE OE DETROIT.” CONSTANTINOPLE,, Sept. I. The non-arrival of the necessary permission to leave, lias delayed he “Pride of Detroit” for another da> hero, the Turks refusing to waive their formalities. Brock am Sclileo are now two days behind th schedule. T , _ , „ CONSTANTINOPLE. Sept. - The Pride of Detroit has left here for Baghdad.

GILES’ PROJECT. NEW YORK. Sept, 1. Giles has postponed the flight from Detroit lo Australia. He declared that he expects to start next week.