KINGSFORD SMITH’S HELMET

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3905, 9 February 1929, Page 3

KINGSFORD SMITH’S HELMET

Squadron - Leader Kingsford Smith’s flying helmet -which he wore on his flight across the Tasman and back again to Sydney, is now a treasured possession of Mr. and Mrs. R. Armstrong, of 169, Tanored Street, Limvood (states the “Lyttelton Times”). The helmet has become their possession under ,rather novel circumstances. When the Southern Cross arrived at the Wigram Aerodrome on the'morning of 11th September, the crowd surged around the machine to such an extent that the airmen had difficulty in getting away. In the rush Kingsford Smith was'' pushed through a gorse hedge and his helmet fell off his head! Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong were among the spectators, and as Kingsford Smith was pushed past them Mr. Armstrong felt something under his foot. On stooping down he found it was a flying helmet, to which Avas attached a small black and silver “Felix” cat, which the airman had brought over as his , mascot. Subsequently Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong called on Kingsford Smith at the United Service Hotel for the purpose of returning r the helmet to him. The airman was .so delighted to get his mascot back that he was most, desirous that Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong should accept the ,1-eAvard which he had offered for its return, but they declined to take it, saying they did not come for any reward. He then promised that he Avould wear the helmet on his return flight to Sydney, Avliere he Avould autograph it and post it -back to Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong. The mascot he declined to part witli under any conditions, as he ex- ! plained that he had had it since the latter part of the Avar and had taken it with him on all his adventures. On his return to Australia, Kingsford Smith wrote to Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong saying that he was posting the helmet to them under separate cover, but apparently the matter was overlooked until just recently.