IN THE AIR

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1931, Page 5

IN THE AIR

SMITH’S BID. FOR AUSTRALIA-ENGLAND RECORD. .United Press Association—-By Electric 1 eiegraph.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, September 13. It was announced to-uay that A.rCommodore Kingsford Smith will shortly attempt to lower Modison’s record flight from Australia to England in a new Avro Sports Avian machine, fitted with a De Haviland “Mark Two” engine. It is now being assembled at Mascot. The machine will be called the “Southern Cross Minor.” From Wyndliam Smith’s route will be to Cheribon, Victoria Point, Calcutta, Karachi, Baghdad, Athens, Paris and London. The total distance of the route is 10,073 miles. ' Smith expects to land at Croydon on the seventh day after leaving. ITALIAN PLANES. RECORDS AT LAKE GARDA. LONDON, September 12. A message from Deaenzano states: A new Italian aeroplane, the name of the pilot of which is not given, has achieved- a speed of 391 point thirty-; three miles per hour on Lake Garda, ROME) September 12 Stories that are almost unbelievable in the light of Italy’s withdrawal from the Schneider Cup, are now in circulation concerning the secret Italian seaplane trials at Desenzano, during the present week. It claimed that the pilot Bellini did 456 f miles an hour in his fatal flight, and that his crash -was due to his lossing consciousness owing to the great speed attained. It also claimed that three other Italian machines did 3933 miles an hour, 4182 miles, and 4371- miles an hour. It is further stated that one machine that has been designed for the Schneider Cup contest is capable of doing five hundred miles an f|our. This latter plane is believed to Be a freak machine, with tandem propellers working in opposite directions. DISASTER MET. BY FRENCH DISTANCE FLIERS. ■MOSCOW, ‘September 12., The French aevoplane, “Hyphen the Second,” crashed near the mouth of the river Tamper. Two of the crew were killed. Mesmin was accompanied by Le Brix and Doret. The survivor is not yet identified. The Soviet is sending aid from Ufa, ■MOSCOW, September 12. Doret is the survivor of -the “Hyphen the Second” disaster. He escaped In a parachute. The accident was due to bad weather.

SCHNEIDER CUP

LONDON, September 12

The Schneider Cup event was postponed until to-morrow, owing to bad weather. Orlebar, returning after a test flight, said that the conditions were hopeless for racing. There were large crowds, who waited till the time for' the test. Then they philosophically went home. The planes were taken to their hangars.

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, September 13

Tire Schneider Cup contest may he held this afternoon, but the weather outlook is unfavourable.

A POSSIBLE START.

LONDON, .September 13

Though it is blowing freshly in the Solent the weather is fine and hopeful. Orlebar, after fliyng the course said it seemed O.K. The machines are being towed to the starting line.

SUNDAY EVENT OPPOSED

LONDON, September 13.

The Lord’s Day Observance Society have protested to > the Schneider Cup Committee against the proposed Sunday race. FORCED DOWN. BUSSELDORF, September 11. The (‘Question Mark” was forced down here with engine trouble.