AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1928, Page 2

AVIATION

Australian Press Assn.—United Service

AVILKINS JOURNEY. BERLIN, May 30.

Because German newspapers regard the reception of AVilkins and Eilson as an all-American affair, the airmen arrived at Berlin by air from Copenhagen. There will be a banquet tonight, and President Hindenburg receives them to-morrow.

A NEW AIRSHIP. LONDON, May 30. Bert Campbell, n Glasgowite, who lived for fifteen years in Australia, is secretly constructing an airship to fly to Australia at the end of July. At present he is learning airship navigation. He says he conceived the idea of a non-rigid airship for commercial service in Australia, for which, lie says, lie has obtained the backing of Australian business men twelve months ago. The airship is 170 feet long and hallo,ooo feet cubic capacity, twin engines, and a crtiising range of 3,000 miles. Frederick Booth.by executes the filial details. There will he a crew ol four and the airship will follow Bert Hinkler’s route, with day and night flying.

PREPARING FOR FLIERS, HONOLULU, May 30

Despite tho unhappy aftermath of last year’s trans-Pacific flights, enthusiasm is growing keen here as the preparations are being completed for the reception of the Australian fliers. The Army’s Hawaiian Department is placing all resources at the disposal of the airmen, assisting the radio beam transmitters and conditioning AA'heeler Field where the aviators arc expected to land; also arranging for policing the crowd that is anticipated will witness the arrival. One hundred and ten craft of the United eta tes battle fleet are now anchored in these waters under orders to ba prepared to steam to the aid of th? fliers sliould an emergency arise.

SEARCH FOR “ITALIA.” LONDON. Mny 30.

A copyright wireless from the steamer “Citta di Al.ilano” (supply ship for the Italia) dated King’s Bay, states:—

“Our efforts to reach A’erlegenhoek, at the extreme north of tho Friesland Promontory, failed. This was owing to an ice barrier, which a north wind had raised on the northern coast of Spit/.bcrgen. AVe had hoped, until Sunday, to reach our goal, for the ‘Citta di Alilano’ was steaming at a fair speed, despite vast numbers ol immense ice blocks, driven by the wind, and also despite snow squalls, which often blotted out all visibility. There still remained a sufficient channel of clear water to squeeze through. Suddenly a white dyke loomed ahead, and the pilot climbed to the topmast, seeking for a way round, hut he returned and reported that any further ndvanco was impossible. The captain ordered the ship to turn about when wo were between -Spitzbergon and Danes Island.”

“Areanwhile, we had prepared a land search party, under Kramer, an experienced hunter and trapper. Only four men wore available, but all of them were skilled mountaineers, and noted ski experts. Their object was to reach Mossel Bay, via the trappers’ stations. Tho north coast of Spitzliorgen is a most rugged and broken region. The party, as it proceeded, was to enlist tho assistance, of all tile trappers in the AA ilde Bay area. Before proceeding, they were to make a. reconnaissance in the direction of North Friesland, communication with the ‘Citta di Milano’ being maintained by messengers using Southgate or Green Harbour as their headquarters ” Other search parties are also being arranged. All the hopes and plans are based on the assumption that General Nobile lias been stranded off the Friesland Coast, or off the west coast of North East Land.

MISSING IN ALASKA. VANCOUVER. May 30.

Advices from Fairbanks, Alaska, state that the Fox Film expedition, which went aboard two aeroplanes to greet General Nobile at Point Barrow, in case lie arrived there, appears to be lost.

Two aviators and three photographers left Wiseman on the after noon of May 13th, and they have completely di.sappeared. A relief plane left last Friday lo search for them, hut it too lias vanished without the slightest report hack.

Aboard the relief plane there was a radio operator, carrying a portable wireless, with which he should have reported on Saturdaw. A miner living near the Endicott Mountains saw two planes oil the afternoon of May ]3tli, one appearing to have trouble to make altitude enough to clear the peaks. Its engine was missing but it was still able to maintain speed when it passed,beyon/1 his sight.

NORWAY'S HELP. LONDON. May 31

The “Daily News’s” Oslo correspondent states: “An insult to the Norwegian Government” is how the paper “Morgen Blndet” describes Signor Mussolini’s personal cablegram to the Italian Minister at Oslo, stating that Norwegian help in the search for the “Italia” is at present not required. The paper adds that Italy should apologise, seeing how promptly Norway has already acted.

OSLO, March 30.

The Norwegian Government has decided to wait no longer for Italian action and has now resolved to send. R.iiser Larsen immediately by aeroplane to Tromsoe, and thence by boat to King's Bay. to commence a search for the Italia.

RELIEF EXPEDITIONS. LONDON, May 31

Advices frm Riga state that the Soviet Aviation Department has decided to organise an urgent iclief expedition to go after the “Italia.” Icebreakers and hydroplanes ; avc el ready left Archangel.