AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1931, Page 5

AVIATION

HONOUR TO HINKLER.

BY BRITISH AERO CLUB

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright.)

LONDON, December 9

The guests at the Aero Club - dinner in celebration of the Schneider Trophy included. Bert, Hinkler. Each member ol > the• team received a silver‘salver. The Duke of Athol said lie foresaw the time when women would'fly from England to Australia with new Eton crops and would return in a week with their hair in the same smart condition. Sir Moore Brabazon announced that the Club was bestowing on Bert Hinkler its gold medal, the highest honour in its [lower. Hinkler, who was enthusiastically received, said that it would lie a pity to let his plane rust in its hanger. There were some parts of the world that he wanted to see, including South America. He continued: “I had the right tools, so one fine Monday afternoon, the Gipsy .started its re liable note, which, by its constancy, gradually landed me here.”

NON-STOP RECORD.

EFFORT TO BE AIADE BY BRITAIN.

RUGBY, December 9

Preparations are in train for the departure from the Ohamvell Aerodrome on December 22nd, of Squadron Lender Gnyford and Flight-Lieutenant Bett, in an attempt to set a new world record for the distance flown non-stop by aeroplane in a straight line.

The present record is held by two American airmen, who flew 5012 miles from New York, to Constantinople. The British attempt is being made in a Fairey long-range monoplane, equipped with 530 horse-power Napier Lion engines, which recently made a trial flight to Egypt. The destination will he Capetown and the route will he via Marseilles, Tunis, Sahara, Nigeria, Portuguese West Africa, and Walfish Bay. The distance bv this route to Capetown is 5,990 miles. The record will, however, he beaten if the airmen reach a. point 100 miles ’south of Civnene River in South West Africa. The aeroplane carries nearly four t o ns of fuel, and is fitted with an automatic pilot to relieve the airmen at the controls for some hours at a time.

ECKENEII’S PROJECT.

LONDON, December 9

Commander Eckener was interviewed by Sir .T, Sim o n (Foreign Minister;, Lord Londonderry and British air experts, discussing the trans- Atlantic airship service project.

KIXGSFORD SMITH !

ALEPPO, December 10

Kingsford Smith lias arrived from Baghdad. He expects to reach London on Sunday.