FLIGHT TO THE POLE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 122, 27 April 1925, Page 10

FLIGHT TO THE POLE

CAPTAIN AMUNDSEN’S PLANS.

START IN THREE WEEKS’ TIME,

LONDON, April 22. A message from Captain Amundsen at King’s Bay, Sptizbergen, states that work on the landing and assembling of the aeroplanes for the flight to the Polo is proceeding satisfactorily. The motor of Riisor I.arsen’s machine was safely installed in place and hauled ashore, where the mechanics are giving the finishing touches in order that the motor may be tried tomorrow. Detrichsen’s plane is still on the ice, but the motor will probably be installed on Wednesday, when the machine also will be hauled to land for completion. It is anticipated ihat both machines will be in a position to fly by Saturday week, when the first trial flight will take place. It is possible that five minutes will be sufficient for the purpose of ascertaining that ail is ■ship-shape.’ Then the trial flights proper, with a full load, will take place, preparatory to the Polar flight. The important part of these trials will be the testing of the scientific navigation instruments to bo used on the expedition to the Pole. Taking-off and landing trials u ill bo made fro n snow, ice, and sea. Director Schult9 maintains thut with *. full load the space necessary for asi art is a thousand metres, but with a smaller load only 30C metres will he required. Presumably the trials will last four or five days, so all will be ready for a start to the Pole in three weeks, providing ideal weather is maintain ad. If fair weather can bo forseen for several days the Fram and the Hobby will proceed northwards a 3 far as possible, the planes following, so that the tanks can be filled with motor spirit right- on '.he edge of the ice formation. In these ■ ircumstances no stay at- Dane’s Island is contemplated. If the conditions, however, are otherwise, the ships will proceed to Dane’s Island to await the arrival of the fliers, and the whole expedition will camp ashore, and wait until fair weather prevails

“All member's of the expedition are in excellent spirits,” concludes Captain Amundsen. “Ellsworth and I, who are to be tile navigators on ih« Polar flight, are busy trying out tha various instruments.” —A. and N-.Z. cable.