Airman Hops Off Quietly On Flight to Australia

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 53, 25 May 1927, Page 13

Airman Hops Off Quietly On Flight to Australia

“TO SEE MARJORIE” By Cable.-—Press Association.—Copyright |N a Moth plane, which he has named Marjorie, after his a sweetheart, a flyer named Rook has left Croydon airdrome on a flight to Australia to see the real Marjorie.

By Cable.—Press Association.^—Copyright Received 11.5 a.m. LONDON., Tuesda3 r .

He has no special equipment for the night, and is carrying no luggage. “Never venture, never win,” is his motto.

He wished to make the trip without publicity, and the little he has got costs him a wager. No hint had previously been dropped by a flyer named Rook of his projected flight to Australia.

He just casually dropped in at Croydon airdrome last night and some time later nochalantly indicated that he was flying to Australia in a Moth plane marked G.E.B.Q.J. Rook had christened his machine with the pet name of Marjorie. In an interview before his departure at 10.30 on a perfect morning, Rook said: “The only thing that annoys me is that I have lost a bet through the news leaking out. i wagered to fiy to Australia without any publicity I hoped that the world would know nothing till I touched the African Coast. “I am following Sir Alan Cobham’s route and my tank holds 40

gallons, which is enough to do 600 miles in one hop. If my machine develops engine trouble and comes down in Franca, people will say I’m another flying fool less iucky and skilful than Captain Lindbergh. “But Marjorie will get me through. Marjorie is my fiancee's name, and she is in Australia, so I must reach her. I know it is risky, but nothing venture, nothing done. “I’ve got a feeling that I’m going to succeed. I invested the whole of my worldly possessions in this little £7OO bus.” His departure was made without fuss, but a few friends were present, including a woman whom Rook kissed, and then climbed into the cockpit without luggage. The only clothes he had were those he wore: a grey suit and a blue overcoat. He says the flight may occupy three months. A spare propellor was strapped under the fuselage, but otherwise the machine did not differ from one making an ordinary focai flight.—A. and N.Z.