DOUBLE CROSSING

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1932, Page 5

DOUBLE CROSSING

OYER ATLANTIC

MOLLISON STARTING TO-DAYi

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

, LONDON, Augu.it 8. | The “Daily Express” says that Mollison leaves, Stag Lane aivrddrime at noon on Tuesday. Confronted with a dramatic dilemnu at the last, moment he had to decide whether be would fly in the dangerous hours of , , .darkness, while physically fresh and have the machine full of petrol, or at the end of‘the trip when tired out, hut with the machine light and therefore more capable, of making ii high altitude. He says: “I, have decided to consider capabilities of the 'itifi chine. in preference to purely physical conditions, and my own) ability to keep awake.”

He plans t<) leave Port Marnock Beach at nine o’clock in the morning and to fly throughout the night. He ‘ hopes to reach America at about daybreak. He intends to stay at NeV York for the shortest time possible, and hopes to return in 3}. days. Mollison does not regard hiS flight as foolhardy, but os- being carefully thoughtout and planned, he is convinced th > machine, which is called “Heart’s .Content’U he b»\* seen what conscientious British workmen have, put into it. He will have petrol fort- thirty-three hours’- flying.. The Gipsy threfe-engine, with four cylinders has :been specially strengthened to take, a load cf 165 gallons rff petrol. He is taking two c.ompasses.

KINCSFORD SMITH’S PLANS. , FLIGHT THE TASMAN. . \ ‘ WELLINGTON, August 8. Mr.; B. Shie,l,, aviation officer for the Vacuum" Oil Coy. - ,who returned; today,' on the Monowai, states that Sir C. Tvingsford Smith definitely, intends to carlry out the flight to' New Zea-' ' land. He purposes to leave Sydney on or about September 14, in the early hours of tlie morning. Two o’clcoll is the time -set for Septemper 14, when the moon is at the full. ■ ! ' The'original Southern : Cross will be used. The objective will be New Plymouth, where he hopes to arrive before dusk. Tim crew will be Smith (pilot), Scotty Allen (second, pilot), and Navigator! Stannage (wireless, operator), and probably a passenger will be carried. ... | ' . The itinerary in Newt .Zealand will ,j?ft ; New PlyiftWfh-rtPi i^VPI? lac l Hamilton, Wanganui,. . Palmerston .X.orth, Masterton, .Blenheim, Christ- . church, Timaru, Otago, ■ and lilvorcar- ; gill. . o . .. A : ?> /In regard to Wellington a difficulty is being experienced about the landing ground, Rongotai not being suitable" for the machine, but an effort is being made to arrange for Trentham racecourse. - -