AVIATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 13 January 1931, Page 5

AVIATION

MISSING AIRMEN SAFE

RESCUED IN WEAK CONDITION

TABLETS AND WATER DIET

(United Press Association—By Eiectrio Telegraph—Copyright;

MELBOURNE, 12th January. "Water and two malted tablets were what Captain Pittendrugh and Hamre lived on for twenty-one days when lost in Central Australia. Weak but unhurt the overdue fliers were brought back to Alice Springs to-day. They were forced down owing to shortage of petrol on 20th December, since when they endured many anxious moments. They were dreadfully disappointed when on 3rd January an Air Force aeroplane passed overhead without seeing them 130 miles north of Alice Springs. Both men are considerably emaciated and are now in the doctor’s hands. A later report establishes that FlightLieutenant Dalton, in an Air Force machine, first sighted Captain Pittendrugh and Hamre on Saturday and ' a motoring party merely brought -them back to Alice’Springs. A COSTLY SEARCH (Received 13th January, 9.50 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. It is now learned that a motoring party which included the Government agent at Alice Springs, discovered Captain Pittendrugh and Hamre after a 285 miles search beginning on 10th January. They located them near Mount ’Zeal, the fliers having w r alked thirty miles to water after being forced down. It is expected that the search will cost over £SOOO. AMY JOHNSON’S FLIGHT RETURNING TO LONDON MOSCOW, 11th January. Amy Johnson spent Sunday at places of interest. She inspected Soviet aeroplanes. She starts for Warsaw on 13th instant flying thence to London.

LISTENING TO ADVICE FLIGHT TO BE MADE LATER MOSCOW, 12th January. Tchuknovsky, the airman who played a large part in saving Nobile’s party, . was the chief factor in persuading Amy Johnson to abandon the Siberian flight as it would require a specially constructed cabin and an engine adapted to the temperature. The Soviet promised to do everything to help Amy Johnson when she undertakes the flight, possibly in May. The “Daily Express” says that every- “ body was pleased with Amy’s good sense. She need not fear for the warmth of the reception when she returns home. TRADE WIND OVERDUE HORTA( Azores), 12th January. McLaren and Mrs Hart in the monoplane Trade Wind are overdue here from Bermuda. It is feared that they have been forced down. TROOP=CARRYING MACHINES CAIRO, 12th January. Three Vickers-Victoria troop-carriers commenced at dawn a twelve thousand, ; miles formation flight to Capetown. Durine the flight " .troop carrying exercises will be executed in the heart of Africa. It is the first time that native soldiers have been transported by airways. The [ machines qre capable of carrying twentythree fully armed, in addition to the crew. - ’ SEAPLANE DO.X (Received 13th January, 10.10 a.m.) t LISBON, 12th January. The German seaplane Do.X flies to~ ( the. Canary Islands on 20th inst.