BRITISH AIRCRAFT TRIUMPH

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1928, Page 4

BRITISH AIRCRAFT TRIUMPH

While tlie wprld had its eyes on Kingston} Smith apd hjs companions’, and was almost, holding its breath in its excitement,’ four British naval planes were quietly making their way from England to Melbourne. J,> the interest, shown in the trqps-Paeifte flight tlie pava| enterprise was almost overlooked, and some of our readers may liqye regarded the news of the flying boats’ arrival at Melbourne a few days ago as an unoxpectecj sypop put of the blue. We have not the slightest desire to- detract from the merit of the conquest qf the Pacific, but we think attention shou|d be drawn to the very great significance of this successful test of layge wqrpraft. No dqubt the Air Force inherits the Navy’s tradition of silence, and tlie crews have taken this trip of 16,500 miles across the work], wit|i cajls pt seventy ports, as just a job to be done. But it should be pointed out that in coining thrqqgli this most searching test J without a mishap, without even thej missing of an engine beat, these boats have given a splendid advertisement to British inventiveness and workmanship. This success and the details of the marvellous display by the Air Force at Hendon on Saturday indicate that in these respects Britain is not surpassed by any other nation. —Exchange.