AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1928, Page 2

AVIATION.

HINKLER’S FLIGHT. | (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Feb. 23. All tlie newspapers contain lauda- j lory reference to Hinkler’s flight. s 'the ‘'Morning Post’s” aviation cor- s respondent says that Hinkler’s flight t ranks as the greatest of all air achievements, and nothing approaching . it in magnitude has been previously ( attempted. The fuel costs amounted to .£33. j The machine is a standard one. that can be bought like a motor-car by anybody for C 730. “ The greatest personal triumph,” the “ finest flight in history.” the " most important event from a prae- | tieal point of view.” These are phrases used by the morning papers, describing Hinkler’s achievement. All regard the news as the most important of the day. and display it accordingly, anil its significance is stressed editorially. The “ Daily Telegraph ” describes Hinkler as the hero of the Tiour, stresses the fact that it lias all gone so smoothly, that one was tempted to forget the weather encountered, and the sheer wonder of the long lonesome adventure, and the superb combination of qaulities required in the airman and aeroplane alike. This little advertised exploit is declared to he a real triumph for aviation in general I and flying as a sport. The "Morning Post,” after congratulating Hinkler, says: “We must also congratulate Australia, which breeds a very hard type, and lastly British engineering, which with Hinkler’s flight, the Sdineider Cup victory, and Campbell's record, is not only abreast of but ahead of the times.” The “Daily Herald” foresees the day when a tost team will fly to and from Australia. The “Daily Express” says: “The feat makes Hinkler an unquestioned monarch ol the air, and “Sporting Life” declares that “ sportsmen everywhere will join in a chorus oi congratulations. The “Daily Chronicle” says the performance ranks among the world’s finest. The Times ” refers to the Empire's pride in Hinkler’s feat, and expresses the opinion that it more than anything. opened the eyes ol the public to the possibility of establishing all air mail to Australia. FLY TNG HOME. DARWIN, Feh. 23. Hinkler is resting to-day and overhauling his machine. He starts at dawn to-morrow lor lUmdaherg. ms ; home town, whore he intends to settle. • He hopes to do the journey of 1(575 miles in two hops. FRENCH COMMENT. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, Feh. 23. " l.e Petit Parisien ” says Hinklers flight provides interesting information regarding low-powered aviation. 1 “ L’Echo tie Paris” declares nssur- ■ (>(||y it contributes to the launching of 1 aeroplunoltes. [ln completing his flight from Croy- - don to Darwin in seventeen days, Mr ■ Bert Hinkler has achieved :i record. ’ Captain Cobhain’s actual flying time was 28 days to Darwin, while Sir Ross , Smith completed the trip to Sydney from England in 28 days. Mr Hinkler left England . on February sth, and j reached Rome on February 7tii, arriving at Malta two days'inter. Hi* subsequent progress was: February 12th, Basra; February 1 lt.li. Karachi; Teb- " nmrv Kith, Calcutta; February 2(>Ui, '• Singapore; Eobrunry 21st, Bandoeng; * February 22nd, Darwin. Bert Hinkler’s

“ liox of Tricks ” was Croydon’s nickname for the living fish-like Baby Avrn in which the young Australian airman I,<• to “drop in at Bundaherg ” within three weeks of leaving. Mr Hinkler never pinned himself to a time-table. He believed in Hying as |„ng as the going was good and the petrol lasted, tint his friends were so sure he would create a record that they took out policies at Lloyd’s. from which they stood to win substantially i| he occupied less than 2* (I.ias. It was only necessary for the machine to do 500 miles daily to achieve tins. Tt was equipped with two petrol tanks of an segregate capacity of 66 gallon-, sufficient for 15 hours’ flying at a speed of 80 miles an hour. At a pinch it could do 115 miles an hour I oil" experience in test flying lal erorttwl in Mr Hinkler an air canniness miu! ingenuity which are reflected m the number of Ids own devices, which simplifv flying. The chief one >* »" automatic undcr-camago, which adjusts itself to an angle speed landing. Another device is a steerable tail skid, enabling the marlline to thread its wav through cattle. Another . cv.oe is ~ tiny double-action pump, with vhich the pilot refuels without leaving his seat. Another is a simple straliglevalve. permitting the propeller to he started with one hand. “It is a oneman ioh. so I have got to have oneman equipment,” says Mr H ink lei. The machine is tinted silver, 1 dark green topside, the identity letters rj f BOY. tailoring away. Hie 'my behind the pilot’s seat is somotbmß like a stunted dorsal Uni. Is cutest mystery of the equipment U mere pulling of a wire releases from it •i collapsible rubber dinghy. * . iron, a gift bottle of Australia.,< -me and a few tins of emergency r. turns, the only luggage was a sm.il . ease and a set of eliarts.,