AN AIRMAN’S PLUCK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10613, 11 June 1920, Page 5

AN AIRMAN’S PLUCK

FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA HINGKLER OVERCOMES ■ GREAT L'II'TIOULTIIiS. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian am) N.Z. Cable Association. (Received Juno 10, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON. June 0. Mr Bert, lliucklcr, the Australian aviator, who is attempting to fly to Australia in a single-seater Baby Avro machine, used twenty gallons oi petrol during the flight from London to Turin, iiis engine is the most distinguished m the History of any aero engine, according to Air Charles Drey, an aviation authority, it was used by Captain Hammersley in the aerial Deruy race in 1010 and by many early aviators.

.ueplying to a suggestion that climbing the Alps was a tough proposition lor such a small craft. Air Tiiuekler said that when he reached there he would have only a couple of gallons of petrol, and the machine’s ceiling would be better than anything tho old Alps could put against her. Air liinckier did not receive any financial assistance. Air Grey adds that Australia should bo proud of this wonderful pilot. Describing tho passage of the Alps in a letter to his wife. Air Hinckler says: ‘As I gained the altitude 1 could see nasty black peaks poking through. It was a heavy task tor the poor engine though. When up 10,000 feot I had to lift her over one or two of the highest peaks.”

Pilot Hinckler left Croydon at 4.50 o’clock on the morning, of May 31st in an attempt to fly to Australia. He accomplished the journey to Turin in a single day, an unparalleled feat in the history of aviation.