HAMILTON MAN TO FLY TASMAN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3743, 19 January 1928, Page 2

HAMILTON MAN TO FLY TASMAN.

Auckland, Last Night,

Confident that the trans-Tasman (light can be done with a- British machine, Mr. Philip Baiicy, of Hamilton, has opened negotiations with Major De Haviland, of Melbourne, with a vicnv to making early arrangements for an attempt to cross the Tasman by air.

Mi 1 Bailey had five years’ experience as an air mechanic and pilot, during and after the war, until December 1922. His greatest desire is that the first successful* flight across the Tasman Sea shall be done with a British machine, and he believes that the D. 11.9 type of bisplane fitted Avith floats, is the ideal machine for the undertaking.

He has written to Major De Haviland asking Avhcther such a machine is available and bow soon it could be got ready. He considers that the flight should be attempted before the end of February or early in March. The trip would be well, organised beforehand. He considers that the cost of fitting out the machine should be covered by £IOO9, and he anticipates no difficulty iri securing financial support if a D.H.9 machine can bo secured.' >

Mr. Bailey states that the great secret of success in such an enterprise is thorough knowledge of, and confidence in, the engine. The D.II. 9 complied Avith every requirement of a long-distance flight and years of experience as an air mechanic had taught him the precise capabilities of an engine such as that Avith Avhich the D.H.9 was equipped. He had spent 354 hours in the air, his longest trip , being from Constantinople to Athens and back, a distance of 1500 miles. The D.H.9 would! carry YfiOlb. besides the Aveight of the pilot, and this Avould alloAv sufficient fuel for |3OO miles beyond the distance between Australia and New Zealand.

Mr. Bailey is looking forward to an early reply front Major De Haviland, and, on receipt of .this, he intends to take immediate steps to put the programme of organising the venture into execution. Referring to the report from New Zealand that Mr Philip Bailey proposed to make a flight from Australia, Major de Haviland said he had never reard of the proposal to use .a de Haviland machine on such a fligrt. • •