BRITAIN’S AIRMEN AFTER NEW RECORD

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 68, 11 June 1927, Page 15

BRITAIN’S AIRMEN AFTER NEW RECORD

LONG-DISTANCE FLIGHT

A PIECE OF BAD LUCK British Wireless. — Copyright. RUGBY, Friday. The Air Ministry’s decision that a further British attempt is to be made to capture the world’s long-distance Bight recoid was taken a few hours after the return to London of FlightLieutenants Carr and Gillman, whose plucky effort to reach Karachi three weeks ago ended in a descent in the shark-infested waters of the Persian Gulf. They had flown 3,425 miles before their descent was caused by a technical defect thus beating the previous long-distance record of 3,343 miles established! by the Frenchmen, Coste and Rignet. .meanwhile Lindbergh had exceeded the Englishmen's distance by 185 miles and Chamberlin's flight has raised the record to approximately 3,900. The fresh British effort veil, be made on the same route as that previously followed toward Karachi, which is 4,100 miles from Great Britain. The interest of British aviation circles is now centred in the prospect of the record being achieved by service pilots, who will attempt this month a non-stop flight to Karachi. It is revealed in the Press to-day that it was only the sheerest bad luck which prevented Lieutenants Carr and Gillman from succeedmg in their similar attempt. The cause of their forced descent was nothing more than a block In the petrol pipe. Lieutenant Carr will again act as pilot, while the navigation will be entrustesi to Fligl t-Lteutenant Harrison, at present on the staff at the Air Ministry.