AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1927, Page 2

AVIATION.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) AUSTRALIAN FLIGHT. SAI\ T FRANCISCO, Dec. 6. A delay of some days is likely before Kingsford Smith makes another attempt for the endurance record flight. The tail flutter which terminated the two previous efforts is being thoroughly investigated. Smith and Pond attribute it to aTr conditions, but some engineers sav the shifts are directly attributable to the load, which was nearly 16,000 pounds.

The elevators and rudder are now being removed from the plane, and it will be structurally revised. It is not certain whether this will delay the projected flight to Australia. Some of Smith’s advisers counsel him strongly to await better trans-ocean •weather before beginning the journey to Australia. unless he can get away with the December full moon, or at the most a day or so thereafter. This means before the 10th. or 12th, inst. at the latest. It is understood that, since Smith’s arrangement with his backers called for an endurance flight before the trans-ocean take-off, he may not he able to make the longer journey until the moon has waned considerably, thus adding to the period of total darkness through which he must fly.

AIRMAN SMITH’S DOINGS. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 7. Tt is announced that Smith and Pond will make a third attempt at an endurance flight record at seven tomorrow (Thursday) morning. U.S.A. Air Force mechanics, under the direction of Flight Engineer Suite man. worked almost- continually from Sunday evening until-to-dny on a now rudder for the plane, which was thereupon tested after varying load conditions. Pond, on descending, said the flutter had virtually disappeared.