AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1928, Page 2

AVIATION

TASMAN FLIGHT.

A GREAT SUCCESS. ARRIVAL AT CHRISTCHURCH. AT 0.23 O’CLOCK. THE START. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) RICHMOND AERODROME (N.S.W.) September 10. The Southern Cross hopped off at 5.30 p.m. (Australian time) on its flight over 'J’asman Sea to New Zealand.

A PERFECT TAKE-OFF. SYDNEY, Septembei’ 10. The Southern Cross men were very cheery before starting. Navigator Litchfield mado a brief speech. There were only 40 or 50 at Richmond Aerodrome when tho plane was wheeled out hut soon there were about 500. This was nothing like the number on previous evenings, hut the public were uncertain of tlie start. Dim was heard to express disappointment at having listened to a report that the airmen did not want to start at all! The men had a last smoke, and then Smith went to the controls, and Ulm into the cockpit, while Litchfield and McWilliams entered the cabin. The cabin has windows all round it. Before the navigator is the chart. The wireless table is at the rear of the cabin. The plane is well fitted and rationed. She left with eight to nine hundred gallons of petrol, and had a cruising radius of 3200 miles. It was estimated she would need a run of 1000 yards, and she was turned westward for the take-off. After running 400 yards, the plane rose off the ground, and slowly gained altitude, and after half a mile she rose rapidly, it--being a beautiful take-off. She went towards the Blue Mountains and then returned over the aerodrome, circled the city, and put out to sea. At 5.50 (Sydney time) she was seen by the steamer “ Morenda.” She expects to arrive at Sockburn at 11 a.m. tomorrow.

“ OFF AT LAST ! ” WELLINGTON, September 10. Tlie following radio message was rebroadcasted from Sydney by station 2YA this evening: “Aeroplanes are escorting the Southern Cross out of Sydney. Capt. Kingsford Smith’s last words, as he departed were: ‘Off at ln«t. ‘Cheerio’! “The four occupants of the machine had a 1 snack ’ before leaving. “ The two wreaths to be dropped in the Tasman Sea were taken aboard the machine. “ When tho engine started, the Southern Cross taxied lor four hundred feet before rising into the air.

“ The exact time at taking off was twenty-six minutes to Six, New South Wales time.”

COOK STRAIGHT COURSE. SYDNEY, September 10. After being delayed a week at Richmond, awaiting favourable conditions over . Tasman Sea, the Southern Cross hoped off at 5.30 on the long flight to New Zealand. Tlie weather locally was perfect with light westerly breeze to help tho huge plane along. If this holds for any length of time it should make an appreciable difference in the time of arrival at Christchurch to-nior-

Captain Kingsford Smith remarked before mounting to tlie cockpit; “The weather is not so good, but it is good enough,” and on that ho decided to make the venture.

Yesterday thousands of people visited Richmond to see the start of the ppoeh-making flight, but this afternoon only a small knot df people were present, apart from air force men. The scene, however, was one of intense excitement. The Southern Cross’s crew —Squadron-Leader Kirigsford Smith, Flight-Lieutenant Ulm, Navigator Litchfield, and Wireless Operator McWilliams—were on the ground early, and the big plane was run out and the engines tuned up. As the level rays of the sun, setting like molten gold behind the purple Kurrajong heights streamed across the aviation field, the airmen made their farewells to their friends, and took their places. Captain Smith’s mother was among the last to speak to him, while Ulm’s wife farewelled him.

When all was ready, Smith, at the controls, nodded to the waiting Ail Force men, and the chocks were removed from the wheels. The propellers’ roar increased, and the big craft moved off a little distance. Then willing hands lifted the tail of the fuselage to point her in the direction giving the longest run, and the machine began to taxi (forward with increasing speed for about three hundred yards, when it left the ground in a steady upward flight towards Richmond. Turning in a circle, the Southern Cross came back over the aerodrome at a low altitude and set off towards Sydney and the coast those on the ground waving good-bye. The plane was in perfect shape. The course to ho followed is by way of Cook Strait . The warship 11 Anznc ” is patrolling the sea some distance out, and the iuabeno bound for Wellington, should be able to give useful wireless advice as to the weather conditions, as well as aiding Navigator Litchfield to keep his direction.

Only limited supplies of food were taken, with water and hot drinks in thermos flasks.

The wreaths will he dropped at sea in memory of Hood and Monerieff. The Southern Cross carries letters from Premier Bruce to Premier Coates, ami from Governor-General Forster to Governor-General Fei'gusson, as well as a limited number of others.

PROGRESS OF FLY. WELLINGTON, September 10. The following was received from the radio at Wellington at 8.30 p.m.:— “ Plane signals are now very strong. He has established communication with Sydney, after slight difficulty.” i MESSAGE FROM PLANE. WELLINGTON, September 10. Took off at 5.25 p.m. Sydney time. Passed coast at 5.43 p.m. at an altitude of over three thousand feet. Sky is now (9.45 p.m.) slightly overcast. Same altitude, with slight bumps. Air speed, 77 knots.”

WELLINTGON, September 10. The following was received from the radio at Wellington at 9.30 p.m.:— “The Southern' Cross is having trouble with his radio transmitter, and it is heard only occasionally. At present, he has his key screwed down, and his signal can be plainly beard amid a chorus of American commercial stations.”

INQUIRY AS TO SIGNALS. WELLINGTON, Sept, 10 The following was received from the radio at Wellington at 10.14 p.m. “ The Southern Cross is making progress approximately at ninety knots an hour.”

10.30 p.m. There is improved wireless transmission. He is inquiring if New Zealand stations are hearing his signals. Ho has been advised his signals have been clearly heard. .. .

RADIO WAVE CHANGED. WELLINGTON, September 10. Tlie following was received from the radio at Wellington at 11.30:—“ Nothing has been heard from tho Southern Cross since 11.3 p.m., when he stated that lie would call later, ’as ho was transferring to six hundred metres, on which wave, owing to his low power, lie is inaudible here. Advice received about 11 p.m. in New Zealand was to the effect that tho Southern Cross was then going well at a speed of 95 miles an hour. AT 2 a.m. The Southern Cross was still going strong at 2 a.m., hut was* sending few messages to New Zealand. Apparently the Sydney papers had an arrangement to get exclusive news of the flight. Tho two main Sydney stations, 2 ILL. and 2 F.U. remained on the air all night, and from time to time relayed instead of news of tlie flight, the roar of the plane’s engines. Word was sent, however, that tho plane expected to make Sockburn at 11 a.m., so that the speed maintained must have been exceptionally good.

THE OFFICIAL WELCOME. WELLINGTON, September 10. Sir Heaton Rhodes, who is at present in Christchurch, will be the official representative of the Government to welcome Captain Kingsford Smith and liis companions. At 7.35 a.m. the following from the Southern Cross was received:—“Had pretty rough time last night. Everybody and radio gear wet through. AVill reach Christchurch at 9 a.m.” WELLINGTON, September 11. General Post Office lias received advice from Ivaikoura that the Southern Cross passed South Bay at 8.25 a.m., flying well out to sea.

LANDS AT CHRISTCHURCH.. CHRISTCHURCH, September 11. The Southern Cross landed at 9.23 a.m. All well. SCENE AT~LANJ)ING CHEERING THOUSANDS. CROWDS BURST THE BARRIERS. FLYING TIME 14 HOURS 12 MINS.

CHRISTCHURCH, September 11. The scene at the aerodrome when the Southern Cross came in sight was thrilling. Cheers arose from thousands of throats and whistles at hundreds of factories blew long blasts. In brilliant sunshine the silver wings and light blue body of the big Fokker stood out clearly. Even three miles away she was big by comparison with the four Bristol Fighters. The Southern Cross circled (three times over the drome before ■ coming down, precaution being necessary as the wind was just changing to northwest. Then she made a perfect landing at 9.23. Immediately the crowd burst the harriers and rushed the aviators, delaying the landing of the four Bristols, but no accidents occurred.

Ihe total flying time was 14 hours 12 minutes. i

COURSE OF THE FLY. RADIO MESSAGES. AMAZEMENT IN WELLINTON. WELLINGTON, September 11. So far radio has not played anything like tlie part designed in the flight of the Southern Cross from Sydney to New Zealand. Wellington radio picked up tlie fliers signal's almost immediately they left Sydney and at times received and replied to messages asking if such signals were being heard. Contact with the airmen was lost after the announcement at. 11.3, the operator transferring to 600 metres, on which wave, owing to his low power lie was inaudible hero. Tlie operator intimated he would call later, presumably on a differewt wave.

About half an hour prior to this advice, the first of tlie copyright messages for which tlie Press Association had arranged was' received, but it was incomplete nnd merely described, the departure from the coast at an altitude of three thousand feet, "tlie sky being slightly overcast, slight 'bumps being

encountered and tlie speed standing at seventy-seven.

After 11.3 communication was not re-established until 2.35, when Radio, Wellington, announced: “ Plane signals again O.lv. on about 34 metres.” In a scrappy message picked up through heavy atmospherics, the following details were obtained—Latitude 25.17 south, longtitude 1G4.3 Very stormy. No observations or readings for two hours.” In the interval Wellington had com-

municated with Sydney and so far as could ho ascertained that side of the Tasman was receiving little, if any, more than Wellington. At 4.15 n.m. a report from the local radio stated the plane had not been heard since 3.11. It had only been transmitting intermittently. A bulletin at 4.30 reported the Southern Cross signals had not yet been picked up here, ‘but were being strongly received in Sydney. An announcement at -5.30 described the receipt of a message from the plane. -• At 5.55, calling Wellington, the latter had to answer it several times, hut at the moment of issue of the news had not established communication, and it appeared the operator on the machine had again screwed the key down. Up to this time there had beeij only one definite intimation of the plane’s progress, namely the 2.35 message giving the geographical position. This suggested the .plane was making good progress in spite of the weather conditions in the course for Cook Strait and before 6.30 this morning the Postmaster at Collingwood reported to the. local office the sound of an engine was clearly audible, the machine being above the clouds and apparently heading oast, although this news appeased premature and almost too good to l>e a message was received from the plane with dramatic suddenness at G.3l,»stating : “ Have sighted land.”. After this a report came to Wellington that the postmaster at French Pass had hoard a plane overhead heading east at 6.40. i

To the amazement, of everyone the Southern Cross appeared over Wellington at 7.15 this morning, approaching from the north. She appeared over the surrounding Hills, flying at a comparatively low altitude. People who witnessed the arrival of the machine could not believe tliafc the approaching aeroplane was the Southern Cross, but their doubts were soon dissipated when it reached Courtenay Place and the powerful three engines could be plainly discerned as well as the identification lettering printed on the under part of the wings and the peculiar square shape of the fuselage. Pyjaina-clad men and women threw modesty to the winds and rushed out to give the aviators a cheer, while at the windows of dwellings faces appeared, gazing upwards, with incredibility most plainly written thereon. Trams stopped and groups of excited people quickly gathered to discuss the unexpected visit, all who we.re fortunate enough to witness the advent being .eagerly questioned' and in some cases doubts as to their veracity being expressed in no uncertain terms. The sky was overcast aud grey clouds being

;;■ • ■ low, tho Southern Cross at first appeared as a black speck approaching from the north. Then tlie noise of her engines were discernable above the early morning city traffic. As tlie plane approached Wireless Hill she banked steeply, and then flattened out and passed over Courtenay Place tram shelter at what appeared to be but little over a thousand feet.

Tlie din from tlie engines almost ’> drowned all other noise Of the city and then tlie Southern Cross winged her way into the south. She did not appear to lie flying at any great speed, but this was deceptive, as soon she was but a mere speck in the distance.

At 7.45 the plane radioed: “ Had a pretty rough night. Everybody and radio gear wet through. Will reach Christchurch at 9 a.m.”

SCENE AT SOCKBURN. A WONDERFUL WELCOME. CHRISTCHURCH, September 11. i By 9 a.m. a solid mass of people J lined the fence which separated racecourse from the landing and a continuous stream kept coming in from tlie entrances. Tlie excitement was intense when the five home planes went up and tho crowd raised a cheer.

A great murmur arose when at 9.16 a.m. tlie Southern Cross, looking a giant between two Bristol Fighters, loomed into view from tho direction of Fendalton.

The sight was the most impressive seen here for many a day. Tlie visibility was perfect and the watchers picked up the Southern Cross with the naked eye almost as soon ai those with field glasses.

Dwarfing its escorting Bristol Fighters, the splendid machine, squat-look-ing with its single plane and square fusilage, flew low over the crowd once, tvvioc, thrice around the aerodrome. The. crowd burst into great cheers, hats Hew into the air, handkerchiefs waved ' and in response a handkerchief was waved from 'tlie plane. Eacli time tlie Southern Cross circled over the crowd, the cheering rose again.

Jinking a fine landing at. 9.20 a.m., it proceeded slowly to its hangar. The ' general public kept strictly behind the barriers but those in tlie official enclosure, swept away by enthusiasm, surrounded the plane almost before it had stopped, arms waving and cheers rending the air. . •Following the example of those in tlie official enclosure nnd in spite df the grim efforts of the police and ..territorials to keep them back, a large section of the great crowd burst through the barriers and in three seconds the, landing place 'was swarmed over by scurrying crowds. A mass of the people and territorials abandoning the barrier, rushed to Southern Cross and in very,'qufck. time ; bad a reasonable space cleared. A further outburst of cheering and waving of handkerchiefs and hats arose when the flyers motors stopped tho Southern Cross. The First Battalion band which bad played “ Hearts of Oak,” as the plane touched ground now struck up “For They arc Jolly Good Fellows,” antf 'a section of the crowd joined in heartily. ; Despite the fact that by this time the barriers wero almost completely demolished and a great majority of the general public were in the enclosure, the crowd were quite orderly. Jlany thousands of people wore gathered round The Southern Cross anxious to catch a glimpse of the first men to fly < the treacherous Tasman Sea.

RADIO OPERATOR SPEAKS. CHRISTCHURCH, Sep. 11. The radio operator (if the Southern Cross, McWilliams of was persuaded to speak over the radio: — " I don’t know quite , what they- , are asking me to say to you,” ho said; “as fl I am very very deaf. ,We are very V pleased to have lauded, and had a very 1 decent trip, except that tho Tasman is j the Tasman, and if any of you hare ) been across it you know it is rough, and on this particular occasion it was very rough. I uni very pleased indeed to have been associated with Australia’s most eminent aviators in this flight across tlie Tasman. I thank you.” Nearly twenty-five thousand people were at the aerodrome. It was stated that the speed from Sydney was greater than any speed attained hitherto, mainly as the result of following winds.

PERFECT WEATHER CONDITIONS. PREVAILED FOR LANDING, j CHRISTCHURCH, Sep. ll.j’ As, there seemed a possibility of the crowd, in their enthusiasm, scrambling over the machine, a hurried cordon of Air Force men immediately surrounded tlie Southern Cross, and was quickly reinforced by the police and mounted artillerymen. As each Bristol fighter made 1 a landing it was chased and surrounded by those folk who could not got a good look at the big attraction. The crowd was one of the most animated that it could be possible to see. Tlie cordon round the Southern Cross gradually cleared a substantial spaqe, and the airmen could bo seen posing of the benefit of a small army of camera men. ;

The weather, which had caused very much doubt and delay made full atbnement for its tardiness. A faint breath of wind prevented an oppressive heat, and the sun shone from an almost cloudless sky. It was a perfect spring morning, just the circumstance needed to make the great event of such a splendid landing, absolutely faultless.

DURING THE JOURNEY. ; CHRISTCHURCH, Sept, 'll.;Two hours of storm, in which there was vivid lightning, caused the wireless apparatus on the Southern Cross to break down for ovqr an hour last niglit, according to Mr T. N. MoWilliam, the radio operator on the Southern Cross. He stated that in the storm' area' the plane flew at a height of-over 7000 feet. “It was very cold in the cabin and my feet wero lilco ice,” added McWilliams. Wo thought that it was cold enough on the first hop, hut it was nothing compared with this. However, we were getting used to the rough stuff. We will probably bo in New Zealand for at least, a fortnight, so as to get the next full moon for our return.—,/', “Squadron Leader Ivingsford Smith is a great pilot. We did the trip from Sydney to Wellington in just over twelve hours at an average of about 100 miles an hour. Wo started off with : a fair westerly wind, but later struck it very bumpy.” . j

PRIME MINISTER’S MESSAGE.. . WELLINGTON, Sepl. 11. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith has received the following message from the Premier:—“On behalf of tlio Government and citizens of New Zcalami I convey to you and your companions, the heartiest congratulations upon your great achievement. Wellington "C . was delighted to have tlie opportunity of seeing' you this morning. My colleague, Sir Heaton Rhodes will tender you our personal felicitations.”