N.Z. AIRMAN

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1931, Page 6

N.Z. AIRMAN

ENGAGEMENT TO ENGLISH GIRL.

LONDON. December fi

Tlie announcement of trie engagement of Squadron Leader (’. R. Carr. D.F.C., A.F.0., the distinguished R.A. F. pilot, who is a native of Rotorua, to Miss Phyliss Elington, of Amershain Rucks, is one of the most discussed social happenings of the moment.

New Zealanders can hardly help fei' r ing a thrill when they think of this New Zealand Hying man’s record—how on tho strength of it he was the pilo* chosen from the whole of the R.A.F. in 1927 to make an official attempt on bohalf of Great Britain to win the world’s non-stop flight record. Alter three gallant attempts with three different navigators. he had to give up the effort. Of his indomitable pluck and doggo* tress there is no atom of doubt. Here is the record of the longest non-stop British flight as proof. On tin* first attempt. lie was-accompanied by FlightLieutenant Gilliii. n in a 'plane carryng a heavier weight; of fuel than a:i\ machine had ascended with before. They left Cranwell aerodrome in May 1927. After nearly thirty-five hours’ flying, and when they had covered 8.42.) miles, with only 700 miles to go (to Karachi), they were forced down by mechanical trouble in the ,shark-in-fested sea of the Persian Gulf, and they were picked up by a ship, the ’plane being wrecked. A month later lie made another attempt, accompanied by Flight-Lieutenant, Mackwort-h. AFter oighty-five miles, the ’plane developed engine trouble, and had to come down at Uartlesham, Suffolk. Did that dismay him? Not a bit. The next news the public recicved was that Carr and Flying-Officer E. C. Dearth lias started on a secret flight from Cramvell. and had crashed into the Danube. 100 miles west of \ ienna. On this “hush-hush” flight the airmen covered about 700 miles. Both were badly shaken by the crash, but esscaed serious injury. The machine was damaged.

Squadron Loader Carr is, now attached to No. 4 Flying Training School (Middle East), having been appointed to the General Duties Branch of the R.A.F. in July. 1928.