AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1930, Page 5

AVIATION

STORY OF THE FLIGHT.

SERIES OF ADVENTURES

(Australian Press Association)

(Received this day at 9.40 a.m.) DARWIN, May 20. On leaving England. Amy Johnson admits feeling a bit scared over crossing the Channel. She left Croydon with-a good following wind, in heavy log, which suddenly lifted, blie saw a smal.l stream of water with land on the other side and thought at first she

had turned around in the log and was returning to Croydon. After live minutes she ascertained she had crossed the Channel without realising it.

Referring to her forced landing later on the desert she said the sand was fearful. It was the worst experience of the flight. She lost all control of the plane, which the hurricane tossed -aiiout like a shuttlecock. She was dressed in warm clothing and the heat was insufferable. Her sole thoughts were that her mother would be worrying, and regrets that she had taken on the flight against all advice. O'n leaving S'amarang she struck another fearful storm. Everything was black, with rain in sheets. She could see nothing, and she was surrounded by- an intense rainbow and everything was ethereal and almost supernatural. At one time she thought she was dead or dreaming. On leaving Sourabaya she was forced, by lack of petrol, to land at Dara Hulalt, 16 miles from Atamboea, in a field full of horses and cattle. Oil landing she found herself surrounded by natives dressed in loin cloths and carrying murderous knives and swords. A native chief caught her by the arm and led her away. Though scared, she thought it better to submit, and on walking two miles she arrived at a church.

The flight to Darwin was without incident. She passed the oil tanker Uharus” midway. On sighting Melville Island she stood up and cheered and threw overboard a pneumatic pillow. She could hardly realise her object had been achieved, arid alternatively laughed and cried, till she picked up Point Charles lighthouse and turned for Darwin.

Her reception here was beyond her wildest imaginations. She intends to return to England in September and take up a position with the “Daily Mail,” London, at a salary of £IO,OOO for a seven months’ agreement, as aeronautical correspondent and lecturer.

Amy leaves to-day for Alexander, Cloncurry and Brisbane. She expects* to arrive at Brisbane on Wednesday.

Upbn her arrival at Sydney she intends to visit the newspaper office which classed her intention to fly to Australia as “a girl’s bombast,” and ask for the writer of the article, and say, “I’m here anyhow.”

When she realised she could not equal Hinkler’s record, which she set out to lower, she became despondent and was inclined, to abandon the trip, but Siam residents tried to cheer her up and told her by long hofis she could catch up. Others advised her to take it easy, while seine, including CaveBrown advised her to abandon the flight as it was hopeless to contend against the monsoons. England to Calcutta was ideal flying, but Rangoon to Australia was like a hideous dream, a series of nerve racking experiences and marvellous escapes. At Sourabaya, she found she had been flying since leaving Rangoon with a broken spar, also a broken speedometer.

RESTING AT DARWIN

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 26

Miss Amy Johnson was advised to rest for a couple of days at Darwin and then fly in easy stages via Brisbane to Sydney, where she will probably arrive next Monday. The authorities have asked the flight organiser to avoid a week-end arrival owing to the likelihood of traffic control of the streets being made difficult by huge crowds.

AMY LEAVES DARWIN.

(Received this day at 11 a.m.)

SYDNEY, May 26

Amalgamated Wireless advises Amy Johnson, accompanied by a Quanta? plane and two Moths left Darwin at ,7,.30, Adelaide time. It is believed the first stop will be at Alexandria. The aviatrix- is well.

A SUGGESTED HONOUR

LONDON. Mnv 25

Mr Thomson is already considering the fmding of a suitable form 1 of award to recommend His Majeslv to confer upon Miss, Johnson. “Her wonderful flight has done a great deal for the British Empire and has advanced again our reputation for pluck, and deggedness in the face °f difficulties,” lie said. The “Daily Herald” says: “it is not improbable the difficulty may be met by creating a new honour, applirtbb. to women performing an act of heroism. She lias conferred great honour upon Britain. It. is now Bi itain’s turn to confer a great honour upon her.” UNIVERSITY CONGRATULATIONS. LONDON, May 25. Sheffield I Diversity where Ami Johnson graduated, cabled heartiest