AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1927, Page 3

AVIATION.

(Austro Jan Press Association & Sun. OFF TO INDIA. LONDON, Sept. 23, Devine and Minchcliff left for India. There was a thrilling start, the plane taxied a mile before rising, bumped badly and nose tilted to earth. Hinchcliff skilfully steadied it soared up triumphantly, and departed at a high speed carrying a:)0 gallons of petrol sufficient to last titty hours. They carried no wireless tearing' sparks might ignite the petrol.,

BRITISH FLYING BOATS. LONDON, Sept. 22. The Air Ministry announces that four flying boats will start tor Australia from Plymouth on October 17. Group Captain 11. M. Cave-Brown-Cavo commands the expedition, and .Squad-ron-Leader 0. E. Livock is second in command, and the other officers are: Flight-Lieutenants P. 12. Maitland, S. T. Freeman, L. V. Carnegie, ('. 0. Wiggles worth, M. G. Sawyer; Flyirg Officers B. Cheeseman, S. D. Scott, G. E. Nicholetts. j ,iEaeh boat carries a crew of four. The route will he to France. Berne, Naples, Brindisi, Cliete, Aboukir, and then coastwise to Aleximdretta, thence overland to Baghdad and Karachi, and then coastal!}’ circuiting India for tho first time, including Bombay. There-, after the fliers go to Ceylon, Madras, Calcutta, liangoon, Penang, anti Singapore, first touching Australia at Broome. Thence they proceed to Carnarvon, Fremantle, Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and elsewhere. They are returning via Singapore.

An official says the boats will not attempt quick passages. The intention is to show the flag in the furthermost parts of the Empire, thereby gaining experience in tiie operation of flying boats on a mobile tiasis.

LEVINE’S FLY. VIENNA. Sept. 23. Levine landed hero in heavy rain. AIR SMASH. BERLIN Sept. 23. The German ambassador to United States, Baron von Maltza, also traffic manager for Lufthansa High Railway, an official passenger and a pilot wore killed and a mechanic seriously injured in an aeroplane crash at Schlotz.