WORLD’S AIR-SPEED RECORD

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1929, Page 3

WORLD’S AIR-SPEED RECORD

NEW BRITISH ATTEMPT

SCHNEIDER TROPHY TEAMS

ENTERTAINED.

RUGBY Sept. 11. Lord Thomson, Minister of the Air,

who. presided at a luncheon given in honour ;of the British anfi. Italian ochneider trophy teams, by the Governmen.. referring to the British champions, said: “We are proud of them oecause we regard them as worthy representatives oi our race; cool, liighiy siulied ami greatly daring. They are splendid material, carefully developed. We are grateful to them because they carried the hopes of millions of men and women in this country to triumph. ‘ hey did what was expected of them, and a great deal is expected of all members of the Royal Air Force.” In regard to the Italian team the Air Minister said: “I do not think 1 can pay them, a higher compliment than by saying that we regard them as great, pilots and .very gallant gentlemen. I'lieir names will long be remembered over here, not only, for the if high courage., but also for their skill in airmanship.” ■ ■ .... .

INTERN ATI ONAL EVENT. Lord Thomson added that the contest for the Schneider trophy had now become an affiair of governments and nations. It was an international concern. There were three factors that counted in . the,-, race: men, machinesand money. Of the first two there seemed to be no lack, but the amount of money required from the taxpayers gave one furiously to think. General Balbo, Italian Under-Secre-tary for the Air, replying, said: “The moment we came to England we felt that British cordiality was. with us. That is the reason we remained in' this country to be with you to-day, and did not go straight back to Italy a s we intended, to try for the world’s speed record.

Colonel Bernasconi, captain of the Italian team, observed that SquadronLeader • Orlehar, broke the record yesterday, which Italy had held for three years, and in the true spirit of sportsmanship the Italians felt, that they should try and take that honour from him as soon as possible. Squadron-Leader Orlebar said that all British airmen felt greatly privileged to. have taken part in such an event and they all thankjed their jialinn rivals for the wonderful show tney put up in spite of difficulties and. the loss of their great Captain Motta. They had,, done rmarvelsy .and. the;-way? in which tney faced their difficulties was wonderful..

NEW. SPEED ATTEMPT. British airmen will to-morrow, weather permitting, make an attempt to beat the record of 355.8 miles an hour over a straight course, which was accomplished at Calshot yesterday by Squadron-Leader Orlebar. The reasons are two-fold: First the weather conditions yesterday were unfavourable, visibility being so bad that miles an hour were lost; secondly, Lieuten-ant-Colonel Bernasconi, captain of the Italian team, has stated that Italy will make another attempt on the world record next month. He expects one of the Italian new machines, which have been'specially built for the purpose, to attain the almost, incredible speed of. *460 an hour over three kilometres.

British pilots and designers consider that he is over-optimistic, but they want to guard against any surprise. For two years Great Britain has struggled to capture the world’s speed record, and they hope to keep it for at least the same period in the right conditions. - It is thought that the Supermarine Rolls-Royce S 6 in which Flying Officer Wa,ghorn> won. the Schneider trophy, and in which Flying-Officer Orlehar made the speed record yesterday, ought to do at least 380 miles an liour.

PHYSIOIAL STRAIN. , It is undertsood that on medical advice, none of the pilots who took part in the Schneider Cup race will be engaged in these further high speed flights. The physicial and mental strain of high speed flying is very, great, and It is stated that the pilots will now be given long leave.