AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1933, Page 5

AVIATION

MOLLISON’S FEAT

TRANS-ATLANTIC CROSSING.

(British Officii Wireless.) RUGBY, Feb. 10. Mollison, in liis small Puss Moth Cabin aeroplane, with it« 130 horsepower Gipsy Major engine, accomplished the 2000 miles ocean flight from West Africa to Brazil in 17 hours 5 minutes. For 700 miles of the journey he experienced very bad weather and heavy thunderstorms, and when he approached the coast of Brazil, having by brilliant navigation come within a few miles of Port Natal, rain was falling heavily. Nevertheless Mollison described the journey as unexciting. He expects to make the return flight to England by the same route. Phe madhine is the same one as was used by him when he made his first solo east-to-west flight across the North Atlantic last August.

MOLLISON ARRIVES AT HIO TO REMAIN THERE A WEEK. RIO DE JANIERO, Feb, 11. Mollisoll arrived here at 11.50 on Saturday lUorhilig. Mollison said that, be I would remain -here for «• week and perhaps longer, before proceeding to Buenos Aires: “It’s a lot of fun this flying,” he said, “but it’s work too, and I’ve been going five days.” A military escort came down the field with him. As soon as he stepped from the plane, someone gave him a handful -<of telegrams, including /one from his wife (Amy Johnson). “The most interesting news. I have heard this week was about the new British distance record. These flights demonstrate that it is about time for a regular trans-Atlantic air service,”, he said.

- AVIATION IN INDIA.

CALCUTTA, Feb. 11.

Captain Riley, Chief Instructor ol the Delhi Flying dub, won the Viceroy’s Cup Handicap Air Race, over a seven hundred miles course. The start and finish were at Delhi. He averaged a speed of 115 miles hourly. Lieut. Misri Chand, of the Sixteenth Punjabis, was second. Major Veecn was third.

The highest speed of 153 miles an hour was attained by Flying Officer Stead, in a Gomper-Swift machine, that was brought • specially from England. Mrs Horsman, the only woman competitor was ninth.

NON-STOP.FLIERS AT CAPETOWN.

CAPETOWN, Feb, 11.

Gayford and Micliolette to-day stepped out unexpectedly, fresh and fit at 4.30 in the afternoon to complete thenflight from Walfish Bay, taking six hours fifty-six minutes to reach Capetown. The airmen were welcomed by the Governor-General, the Minister of Defence and thirteen thousand people. Alter a mayoral welcome they drank a goblet of champagne.

AN ORDER FROM TURKEY. RUGBY, Feb. 9. The Vickers super-marine aviation works at Southampton, has received an order from the Turkish Government for six metal constructed Southampton twin-engined flying boats.

FLIGHT ABANDONED. CASABLANCA, Feb. 10. M. Boussotrot, who planned a nonstop flight from France to Brazil, alter battling with head winds arived here and abandoned his flight . owing to engine trouble. KINGSFORD SMITH’S PLANS. BRITISH FLIGHT DENIED. AUCKLAND, Feb. 12. Mr Wilfred Kingsford Smith denies the statement that Sir Charles is likely to make an early attempt on the record for the flight from Australia to England. Sir Charles is unlikely to leave New Zealand with the Southern Cross before the end of March. Materials from Australia for repairs to the Southern Cross are expected at Palmerston North on Wednesday.