FLYING RECORD

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1931, Page 5

FLYING RECORD

(Received this day at 8 a.in.) DARWIN, April 10. Alexander Scott was first noticed flying from the north across Sl'o'l Bay. He landed at the aerodrome 5.50 p.m. amid a scene cf excitey4 ment, the local people cheering env thusiastically, many having waited all day, Scott was cheerily greeted by old aviation acquaintances', Ho was very sunburnt, He was offered a whisky and . soda, but snid he preferred beer, which was unavailable, so contented himself with sarsaparilla, and the gift of n cigarette. Scott said he was overjoyed to be on his native soil, safe and sound. The last stage was the worst of all. At Bimavery it was wet when lie left. He agreed with Smithy that the job was a very hard one. He had little- or no sleep for ten days. He left England at 4.55 a.m. on April Ist, arriving at Darw n, nine days, twelve hours forty-five minutes later. Smith’s record was thus beaten by about fourteen hours. Scott displayed an inflated li eeblt which he had won later. He states he tarried his baby daughter’s black golli'jjwog as a mascot. He is uncertain when he is leaving Darwin but it will not be for a day or two. Then he will lly to Brisbane leisurely, as he is content with breaking the record. The Government Resident. \whn is nlso Mayor, Welcomed him on behalf of the Government. SCOTT’S TIME. 12 HOURS BETTER. W THAN SMITH’S. SYDNEY, April 10. Scott lowered Kingsford Smith’s England-Auatralia record by at least 12'>hours. Scott was among the pilots who escorted Amy Johnson from Darwin to Brisbane. On that occasion he made his decision to fly from England to Australia. He told a Sydney journalist that lie “Would do the journey in ten days or bust.” CONGRATULATIONS FOR SCOTT. this dnv at. 9 a m.v ' LONDON. April 10, Mr MacDonald telegraphed from Lossiemouth :—“Delighted at Scott’s arrival. Conerntulate him on his wonderful achievement.” Sir Malcolm Camphel! says: “Well done Scott. It is awfully fine and shows his enterprise and his determination deserved success.” FATHER HEARS NEWS. (Received 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, April 10. The news of Scott’s arrival at Darwin reached his father at Colchester when at breakfast. “That’s splendid. The hoy has done a jXirvellous thing,” said the father. He conveyed the news to Scott’s young wife-

ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA —o — SCOTT LANDS AT DARWIN A NEW RECORD o BREAKS KINGSFORD SMITH’S BY FOURTEEN HOURS —□ — (Australian Press Association.)

SCOTT’S I’ER.FOR AIA NC F.S. (Received 10.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 11. In February. 1900, Scott established the Brisbn no-Melbourne record for a light aeroplane. He had a narrow escape from death in 1928 when lie flew into a hill in the lofty ranges in South Australia. While attempting to fly from Adelaide to Londroach in one day, his plane caught fire and was destroyed and Scott suffered a broken jaw- and other injuries. He walked a mi)e to the nearest farmhouse. His mechanic, George Nut-son, was killed. Scott had piloted Air Marshall Salmond three thousand miles over Australia in seven days and was about to return to Queensland when a crush occurred. CANBERRA. Anril 11. ! Mr Scullin sent congratulations to Scott:— “We feel proud of the fact that coveted honour has fallen to the lot of another Australian. Your notable achievement has once again demonstrated the skill ad intrepidity of the Australian airmen.” MELBOURNE, April 11. Kingsford Smith sent a toFgram conveying heartiest congratulations. Smith enthusiastically praised Scott’s feat, which he described as a great piece of work. DARWIN, April 11. Scott declined to grant an interview. He was entertained at dinner by local business people at which his toast was “to Squadron Leader Hinkler, the man who made the first record.” The airman said he had a nice trip save for the bad crossing at Java Vallpy and Sumboya. He was glad to have beaten the record and would not try breaking it again for a million pounds. Mr Scott, an Australian, left Lympne (Kent) on April Ist. on his flight to Darwin. It was reported that he arrived at Aleppo on April 3rd. Air-Commodore C. fi. Kingsford Smith made the trip to Rangoon last October in seven days, and to Singapore in eight days, eclipsing all previous records. His record flight to Australia. was accomplished In 10 days 7 hours, as compared with Mr Bert Hinkler’s time—ls days 2 hours. Other Fights to Australia. Days. 1919: Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith and two companions 28 1920: Lieutenant Rarer and Captain Macintosh 20 1 1925: The AFarches.se de Rinedo (Ttnl.v). Brindisi to Broome ,(W.A.) 35 1936: Sir Alan Cobham and companion 36 1928: Captain Lancaster and Mrs Keith Miller 1929: Captain Moir and FlightLieutenant Owen 62 1930: Mr Chichester, solo 36 1930: Lieutenants Riper and Kaye 88 1930: Miss Amy Johnson, solo 19 Tlie best flights to date are:— Kingsford Smith: 10) days. Hinkler: 15) days. Oscar Garden (to Wyndham): 18 days Amy Johnson: 19 days.