AIR SPEED

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1928, Page 5

AIR SPEED

GIIFIG’ S ATT E AIPT Fa ILS

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegra pli—Copy r i gli t).

(Received this day at 12.25. p.m.)

LONDON, Nov. 4

In bright autumn sunshine thousands of people from vantage points around Calshot, saw Darcy Greig lly luster than anyone in the world 1 lias over done, hut not fast enough to defeat Do Bernardi’s world record. I lie conditions were ideal, with good visabilitv. and little wind. ’l’he sea was calm when Greig’s seaplane was towed to the Solent. Tt taxied faster and faster, churning out spray. It then climbed in the direction of the Isle of Wight, and rose to a height of twelve hundred feet and then swooped down with the engine screaming, to 50ft. above the sea. for the first attempt on a measured mile. It gave fascinated onlookers a now and astonishing conception of speed. Visiting Cowes. Ryde. Calshot, and Southampton. Six times the machine rose to the maximum permittod height, and then swooped down on a covered level course, the speed being officially measured by camera guns, which simultaneously photographed the face of tlie stop watch and seaplane passing a given spot. Greig expressed the opinion that during the all out dives towards the course, he attained a speed of 3-10 miles hourly. The engine run perfectly at 3900 revolutions per minute.

Aviation officials gave an ovation and shouldered Greig. when he landed. Greig bore the disappointment of not establishing a new record with composure. He declared he was most willing to have another whack, if the Air Ministry pornvit.