AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1928, Page 2

AVIATION.

Lustralian & N.Z. Cable Association.) A. REMARKABLE CAREER. LONDON, March 12. Only half an hour before the tragedy 'tubers oi' the House of Commons had iplauded lvinkead’s Sunday efforts ien mentioned by Sir Samuel lioare. Kinkead was a South African, aged irty-one. He joined the Naval Air ,rce in 1913, and was made a Flight leutenant in 1917, and Captain in the \.F. in 1918. lie was awarded the .5.0., and D.S.C. and bar, and D.F.C. id bar, for gallantry, consisting of tacking and dispersing a cavalry divinii in Russia; gallantry at the l)arda--lies - conspicuous gallantry and skill gainst the enemy in aerial combats, Hacking and dispersing formations in iperior numbers, and dispersing enemy •oops ill France. Many theories are advanced for the ecident. One is that in flying into the an, the horizon was not visible and e may have dipped the machine and ew straight into the water. STREWN WITH SACRIFICES. LONDON. March 13. Sir S. lioare. Air Minister, paid a rilnito to Kinkead. He loured. he aid, flint the way of progress must he trowu with sacrifices. AN ITALIAN TRIRI TE. ROME. March 13. News of Kinkead’s accident came as shock. Signor llalbo, Under Seorearv lor Air. declared that he had lie•oino a friend, and .admired Kinkead. luring the preparations lor tile Schnoiler Cup race, in which Kinkead was ’orcod to retire after doing some very ino flying. LONDON PRESS COMMENT. LONDON, March 13. The “Morning Post’s” aviation correspondent states that no one was bettor pleased than Kinkead when he was chosen to attempt to break the world’s record. His temperament was ideall.t suited to the task. There were no signs of frayed nerves during the long days of waiting lor suitable weather. H< was at the air station every day ai dawn, ready and anxious for the firs' line hull' hour. He believed the mat-hint would do 31.-> miles an hour, attd Ilf only anxiety was that Hernardi miglr forestall him by raising the recon ligure. making it more difficult to h attained. FRENCH ’PLANE CRASHES. LONDON, March 12. There was a dramatic S.O.S. i'roi the pilot of the French air liner. 0 inquiry from the manager of the From:' Air Union lie said the machine lm called Croydon, and men sent a message, “Have fallen into the sea. Transmission then stopped with a lon roar at the actual .moment the mm bin - hit the water. A I'll PLANE FATAL CRASH. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, March 13. Advices from Nairobi state that Lady Cnrhery, wife of an Irish peer, was killed in an aeroplane wherein she was giving an instruction flight. It crashed in the presence of Lord Cnrhery. The pupil was also killed. A message from Nairobi states Lady Carbery’s machine developed a spin. She jumped out and was killed instant iy. Lord Cnrhery was one of the first to reach the wreck. Lady Car1, cy was twenty-two. NON-STOP FLIGHT. LONDON, March 13. The ” Evening News ” states that 1 llinelielill'e left Cramvell for an un-

known dcstiitation lully fuelled on a noii-siop flight of three hundred miles. LONDON, March 13. The “Daily Express” says editorially 11 is Majesty conferred on Hinkler the Air Force Cross in recognition of his amazing single-handed flight to Australia. Almost simultaneously came the news that lvinkead had crashed and was drowned. We shall learn in time, all the details of Hinkler’s flight. We may never know what rohlied Kinkead of the glory of his memorable achievement. hut it is the splendour of the effort that counts, whether the end he triumph or tragedy. It is officially stated that Hinkler’s honour is “in recognition of the distinguished services he rendered to aviation by his recent flight from England to Australia.” © THEORY OF DISASTER. * (Received this day at f) a.i11.) LONDON. March 13. The chief theory of the Kinkead disaster is a violent rocking preceding a difficult taking off in flic still air weakened the monoplane. Several witnesses describe seeing a flutter of the rudder trilvano just before the crash. Others suggest the engine momentarily raced madly. Kinkead appeared to lie trving to alight. LONDON, March 13. Kinkend’a body and machine have, not been recovered. I lie approximate spot where they disappeared was huoved hut n strong tide is making the divers works difficult and it may have swept away the machine. Officials near the scene of the disaster believe the engine raced and Kinkead lost control. Kinkead’s body has been recovered. KING’S”SYMPATHY. (Australian Press Association K Sun.) (Received this duv at Vf.O a.in.' LONDON, March 13. The King sent a message to Sir S. Hoare stating he was grieved to learn the loss tlie Royal Air Force had sustained in the tragic death of Kinkead, who had such a distinguished career. Please convey my sincere sympathy to the relatives of the gallant airman. ITALIAN SYMPATHY. ROM Ei. March 13. As a mark of mourning for Kinkead, the Air Minister ordered three days’ suspension of Rernndi’s speed trials at Lido, and also telegraphed to Sir S. Iloarc the Government’s condolences.