AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1928, Page 2

AVIATION

TASMAN FLIGHT.

THE AVIRELESS AIAN.

(Australian Press Association.)

AA’ELLINGTON, July 15.

It is freely stated in 'Wellington that the New Zealand Government has recommended Air T. H. McWilliams, the Superintendent and Instructor of Wireless to the Union Steamship Coy, to the Australian Government, as the wireless operator for lvingsford Smith’s Tasman flight. He is a returned soldier, and has had experience on board ship and at land stations.

SYDNEY, July 15.

Flight-Lieut Ulm has announced that Air T. H. AlcWilliams, Superintendent of the Union Steamship Coy’s Wireless School in New Zealand, has been selected as the wireless operator for the flight to New Zealand, and lie has been advised to leave for Sydney by tbe Aorangi on Monday.

Tho aviators have also decided to land at Christchurch at the AVigram Aerodrome, as it is the most suitable landing place. So far, the date of departure lias not been decided.

AVELLINGTON, July 16

T. H. AlcWilliams, who is to act as wireless operator on tlie Southern Cross for the flight across the Tasman, left Wellington last night by the limited express for Auckland, where lie will leave' for Sydney by the Aorangi today.

Among those who were at Thorndon station to wish .him the best of luck, were the Prime Alinister, Alajor Wilkes (Director of Aviation) and Colonel Hall. AlcWilliams, who is a returned soldier, is Superintendent and Instructor in AVireless for the Union Coy and is a New Zealander.

A CRASH. LONDON, July 13. The air crash at Croydon was the most serious Imperial Airways disaster for several years. One of those killed was Aircraft Inspector Hall. The others killed were all employees of the aerodrome, including two of its most popular typists, who were being given a little joy-ride. The machine quicldy was seen to he in difficulties, and she nose-dived with a tilt, and crashed in a hedgerow in a field near the aerodrome.

The pilot P.nd another were seriously injured,, hut they climbed out. Then the machine immediately burst into flames.

Hundreds of people ran to try and extricate tlie passengers, but they were tragically helpless. They could not go within ten yards of the inferno. The machine was last used during the week-end test in connection with the Loewenstein mystery, ~when a party of journalists were aboard.

ARCTIC RESCUES. LONDON. July 14.

Advices from King’s Bay state that iSora and Van Dongcn were overjoyed to he saved. Immediately they saw tiie aeroplanes they waved to the pilots, who after the rescue wirelessed the rescue to the captain of the Russian ice-breaker Krassin, who broadcasted tlie good news.

Both of the rescued men suffered great hardships, and they were compelled to kill five of their nine dogs. They lived on the dog’s flesh for a fortnight. Sora was most exhausted. LONDON, July 14.

Sora and Van Dogen have arrived at King’s Bay by the Sweedish aeroplane. Uppland and the Finnish aeroplane Tarkj respectively. It appears that they were rescued from Foyn Island by Swedish airmen, and not by the Krassin, as was earlier reported. It is recalled that Sora and Van Dongen left here with a Danish Engineer named Vanning, in order to search for Malmgrem, Mariano and Zappi. During their trek, Vanning became ill and he remained behind, while Sora and Van Dongen went on, and they have now been rescued.

Tt. is presumed that tho Krassin’s new rescued men are Chausseurs, whoso signal were seen when the Krassin was approaching Viglieri’s party.

ZARRIS SAD STORY. MOSCOW, July 14

Zappi states that everybody suffered a shock when the Italia’s ’ gondola crashed. He himself was laid up for three days. Ma-lgrom • gave up the struggle a fortnight after the walking party started. The others encountered huge reaches of open water, and were unable then to make any further progress. Then food became exhausted three days later. They remained on one ice block for ten days, and they had given up hope until they saw Chuknovsky’s aeroplane and heard tho ice-breaker Krassin’s siren. Next day they were removed to tears. Malgrem entrusted Zappi with his pocket compass to be given to the former’s mother as a. souvenir. FLYER KILLED. NEW YORK, July 13.

A message from Chatsworth in the State of New Jersey, states: Emilio Carranza-, the Mexican Lindbergh, was killed when lightning struck his plane while the flier was en route to Mexico. The plane crashed into a pine forest, where the almost indistinguishable body of the aviator was found by a berry-picker., Carranza was recently received at Washington as an official goodwill envoy from the Mexican Government. He was lavishly entertained, and received glowing tributes in the American press. He expressed a desire at Ills departure to return to Mexico City to his bride of less than a month.