AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1931, Page 5

AVIATION

RECORD ASPIRANT.

\By Telegraph—Press Association).

MELBOURNE, January 8

C. A. Scott who left by the liner BendigO' intends to attempt a new flying record from Croydon on —Bth March to Darwin in eight and a half days. THE ITALIAN’ FLIGHT. TWO PLANES MEET DISASTER. FIVE LIVES LOST . ROME, January 8. The rejoicing over the success of the Italian squadron of sea-planes in crossing the Atlantic to Sotuh America, lias been turned into sorrow on the receipt of news from Bolama disclosing that five of the Atlantic fliers were hilled and three were' injured when two of the machines were taking off and were forced down owing to the heavy loads of fuel and necessaries that were required for ocean flights. One of the two planes took fire, nnd the Coiqmander, Lieutenant, Sergeant, and Wireless Officer Were burnt to death. The float was damaged on the other machine in which a Sergeant Major was killed and three were slightly injured. THE ITALIAN FLIGHT. ACROSS THE ATLANTIC REPORT OF ‘LOSSES. ROME, Jan. 8. Ralbo, reporting to Mussolini, emphasised tlie poor visibility at the start hut declares it was necessary to utilise the moonlight because the forecast did Tot promise improvement. The airmen (before starting donned black shirts. The load on each machine was ten thousand pounds, and was heavy for taking off, even in clear weather.

Captain Donadelli and Lieut. Reucci reserve aeroplanists, received hast minute permission to accompany the flight. General Valle, who was detained for ninety minutes, flew over the Atlantic solo, and overtook his companions near the Brazilian coast. The obscurity of the sky in the first six hours necessitated the squadron navigating by instruments. The roll was called at dawn bej'ond Bahama when ten answered.

Recagno’s and Boes’ machines did not pass Bahama, the former crashing and taking fire on taking off, the crew being saved. Boes’ machine crashed and caught fire and disappeared with all hands probably owing to a short cur.cuit. A broken radiator caused Bistrochi’s machine to alight, on the ocean. A scout tihip picked up the occupants. Balbo recalls predicting the loss of three machines as a possible tmtcottte of the flight.