Sensational Speed By Seaplane

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 148, 13 September 1927, Page 1

Sensational Speed By Seaplane

SCHNEIDER CUP RACE ONE BRITISH PLANE SWAMPED (British Official Wireless. — Copyright) Reed. 11.32 a.m. RUGBY, Monday. One of the British seaplanes sent to Venice by the Air Ministry to attempt to win the Schneider Cup has met with a mishap during a trial flight. The machine, a Bristol Crusader, crashed into the sea. The pilot, Plying Officer Schofield, was injured about the eyes. Efforts are being made to raise the seaplane, which is under water. Great Britain has two other types of machines engaged for the race—the Supermarine Napier and the Gloster Napier—both widely differing in type from the Crusader. One of these, which took part in the same trial as the Crusader, and piloted by Squadron Leader Slatter, is reported to have attained the sensational speed of 312 miles an hour, though this lacks official confirmation. Much was expected of the Crusader. Apart from its striking design, it i 3 remarkable for the introduction of an air-cooled engine for the first time in the competition. The Bristol Company produced a new and exceptionally powerful type of engine called the Mercury, and with very considerable interest the contest between it and the water-cooled Napier Lions was being awaited. The Crusader had done much successful flying in this country before being shipped to Venice, and it possessed speed greater than that at which the race was won last year by the Italians.—A. and N.Z.