AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1928, Page 3

AVIATION.

TASMAN FLIGHT. THE MAN OF THE HOUR. ADDRESSES CROWD FROM BALCONY.-' A. COULDN’T LAND ON SUNDAY? • (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) Christchurch, sept. 11. It was a-smiling Squadron-Leader ' Kingsfortl Smith who appeared at the window of the United Service Hotel at 10,10 a.m. A crowd had been waiting for a while and it became tense at the, sight of the uniform with its long row of medal ribbons. The airman looked a little fairer and slighter than his pictures had suggest-; .. ed. He waved a hand, and when the cheering had subsided, Kingston! Smith put his hands to his mouth and shouted:—“I didn’t know there were

so many people in Christchurch'. You ? ought to have seen them at the aerodrome. Thank you very much for ' your welcome. Wo are glad to be iicre, but by jove, we had a bad night and coming through this morning. However wo have got here now. Charlie and I like the look of your "'city and wo are-going to stay here for a while I think.” \ “My hostess is sorry,” said Kingsford Smith, “that she can't ask you all .in for a drink.!’ “We tried to land here on a Sunday but couldn’t make it,” said the airman, in reply to some interjection. There was a roar at the' remark, * : and a humorous look on tho aviator’s face as ho made it.

NEWS REACHES SYDNEY. ‘Received this dnv at 9.30 a.m.) > SYDNEY, Sept. 11. p Radio messages of the Southern Cross flight aro published in all the papers this morning. Tho latest message appears in one of the newspaper’s 5 a.m. edition, announcing the airmen had sighted land, thereby relieving the tension and causing a feeling of utmost pride in the intrepid aviators. Most of the signals from the Southern Cross were weak, until plenty of static, hut the main fact that all was well with the airmen was often heard by Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Queensland A. class radio 'stations.

The fliers also reported excellent flying conditions.

, > ; RUSH OF PEOPLE. OFFICIAL RECEPTION . TO-MORROW. CHRISTCHURCH, September 11. Due to the short notice of the flight the colour route scheme could not he followed absolutely, but although there was a terrific crush of traffic on Riccarton Road it was under complete control and no trouble occurred oil the way out. The nows sent out by radio that tho flyers were at Wellington at 7.20 a.m. caused a general rush to the aerodrome. Most people had not expected the flyers to arrive till about 10 a.m. liut the possibility of an earlier arrival caused arrangements to he changed hurriedly. Early breakfasts were abandoned and a great belter skelter to tlie aerodrome set in immediately. Riecarton Road became almost a solid moving mass of traffic. Looking down from the liangar roof, the excellence of the car-parking arrangements was manifest. Serried ranks stretched in good order for nearly a mile along the north and northeast side of the racecourse and aerodrome. Every possible place which might Command a view was assailed, . and 'every now and again an outburst of ,cheering would occur. The' official welcomo to the aviators at the aerodrome by Sir Heaton Rhodes and tho Mayor was bridf, owing to the press of ]ieople, who though kept off the machine by a cordon, rushed, t.he flyers enthusiastically. Kingsford Smith, Ulm and Litchfield were, therefore, hustled into a motor car and quickly went to the city, McWilliams following later. 1 The airman after having a bath and breakfast went to'bed. They have a free evening to-night. Tho official reception is at noon tomorrow and will he followed by an official luncheon. All appear fit and well.

PREMIER’S CONGRATULATIONS. WELLINGTON, September 11.

Hon. J. G. Coates has wired Kingsford Smith at Sockburn:—•“ On behalf of the Government and citizens of the Dominion, 1 extend to you and your companions our heartiest congratulations on . your great achievement. Wellington was delighted to have opportunity of seeing you this morning. My colleague, Hon.’Sir Heaton Rhodes, who Will represent the Government at your reception, will tender you personally our felicitations.’’ .Mr Coates wired McWilliams, the flight- wireless operator: —“New Zealand welcomes you home and is proud of your 'association with this epochmaking flight.” Hon J. G. Coates cabled to the Prime Minister o» Australia,' at Canberra: “New Zealand joins with you in admiration of-the magnificent achievement -of the Australian airmen, with whom we are proud that Zealandia Is associated with. The first successful trans-Tasman flight, while iorming another link between our two countries, and completing the air chain between Great Britain and the overseas Dominions, adds another imperishable feat to Australia’s record in the air.”

ULM INTERVIEWED. Christchurch:, Sept., n. In an exclusive interview, FlightLieutenant Ulm said:— A little after 2 p.in. on Monday we received from Mr Kidson, the New Zealand meteorologist, through the weather bureau 'at Melbourne, a weather report indicating very favourable conditions, with the exception of the first thirty or forty miles from Australia, and we thereupon, decided to take off at 5 p.m. We placed flags on each side of the .specially prepared runway at Richmond aerodrome, and at 5.15 p.m. (Sydney -time) we took off into ■' strong westerly wind. At 5.30 "c had reached an altitude of 1800 feet, anti sighted the Australian coast. A\e were then on an earth inducted compass coarse for a point in the middle of Cook Strait. At 5.43 wo passed over the coast on a line very slightly north of Terewhiti. Our mr spec was TO knots, and the altitude 3201 feet. ~The.. visibility was poor, so we commenced to climb. At 5.54 McWilliams reported tlml the short wave radio set was out o 1 - action and that he was trying to> ro pair it. At 7 p.m. we asked AUAVU liams to wireless Anzac asking them t( show searchlights. As the radio wa: still out of order at ten past seven Litchfield (navigator) took drift sight

on three, water lights. The stars were out but there was only a very poor horizon. At 7.45 the sky was very overcast on our port beam, but much clearer to starboard. At 7.50 there were high cloud banks ahead. At 7.55 we approached wlmt appeared to he a very severe lightning storm, and from then on kept a jiloso look-out Ifor. the Anzac. At 8.35 wo tested our own searchlight and found it O.K. and at 8.45 our altitude was 5 400 feet, and we were climbing more in an endevaour to get over the electrical storins ahead. It was common-

ring U> 1)0 ver - v humpy. At II) p.m. our altitude was 8,000 feet. “ At 10 p.m. our altitude was 8,000 f ce t, and it looked as if wo could pass over the storm and ahead three separate lightning storms were plainly visible. It was not very bumpy, but very cold up till 10.10 p.m. When we were at 7.000 feet we had not experienced ■them, but flashes of lightning were Winding. At 10.15 wo ran into heavy vain and ICingsford Smith again blind flying. 'Hie altitude then was (>,BOO feet and our air speed 68 knots, we were then climbing. Lightning was so close and so sfevere that it showed circles of fire covering the diameter of each of the three propellors. It was particularly bumpy, and reminded hot]. Smithy and myself of our hop from Suva to Brisbane. During the next hour we experienced the worst stretch we flew the Southern Cross. At 7000 feet ice formed not only on the windshield hut on the undercarriage, engine, 1 icarer shafts and on the wing itself.' At 11.20 the petrol tujie which controls the air speed indicator became choked with ice, which of course put our air speed indicator out of action. v

BRITISH ATRMEN MISSING. LONT/ON, September 8. The Air Ministry announces that Pilot Britton, Lieut Booth, and Telegraphist (Irigson belonging to the aircraft carrier “Argus,” are missing in the North Sea, after a rowii.im,sauce flight. Ships are unnvnilingly searching for them.