AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1927, Page 2

AVIATION.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association. SMITH’S ELY. NEAY YORK, Dec. 20. Smith radioed everything was O.K. at 12.40 a.m., 12 hours before the record can be broken. His speed bn* decreased from 60 miles an hour to 45 ENDUR ANCE FLIGHT. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 19. Kingsford Smith and Pond, as they approached the fortieth hour of their sustained flight, were forced to a higher altitude on account of air currents, requiring greater gas consumption. It is feared that they will be unable to remain aloft more than .six hours longer, through lack of gas. ,

SMITH FAILS. RUNS OUT OF PETROL. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m). SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 20. Smith landed at 9.47 this morning, with his petrol exhausted, the endurance flight failing bv approximately three hours to make a record. A message received at eight in the morning declared the plane probably would be able to remain an hour and a-half longer, which would make the total time more than two hours below the record. The message stated the plane was functioning perfectly, but the petrol supply was low. qne airmen landed at Mills bield, having kept the plane aloft until practically the last drop of petrol was drained from the tanks. The'unofficial time for the flight was 49 hours '-9 minutes, which is 2 hours 53 minutes below the German record. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 20.

Both pilots were almost lifted from the cock-pit of the plane as it came to a stop. They seemed on verge of collapse from the strain of the long cruise. Their lips were cracked aiul faces drawn as they left the plane. Blood-shot eyes told of sleepless hours at night. Smith said: “ AVe are sorry we could not make the rest of it, but we will do it next time.”