WORLD’S GREATEST AIR TEST

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 159, 26 September 1927, Page 1

WORLD’S GREATEST AIR TEST

DUEL BETWEEN BRITAIN AND ITALY SCHNEIDER CUP RACE NEAR VENICE SPEED MAT BE FIVE MH.ES A MINUTE T'HE greatest intensive air test ever devised takes place today at Lido, near Venice. It has aroused the interest of all Europe, because of the objective of the contest, this being the question whether or not the British representatives will restore Britain’s air prestige by winning the Schneider Cup race. Though the contestants are in the best of health and keyed up to a great test of endurance, it is anticipated that they will have to be carried ashore in a state of exhaustion. The winning machine may have to attain a speed of 300 miles an hour.

By Calle. —Press Association.—Copyright

Reed. 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Sunday. stage has been set at Lido, the most expensive resort in the world, for the greatest intensive air test ever devised. It is expected that 250,000 spectators, headed by Signor Mussolini, Prime Minister of Italy, will witness the Schneider Cup race. Both Venice and Lido are en fete in honour of the airmen. British and American visitors are present in thousands. They include Sir Sel’ton Braneker, British Director of Civil Aviation, who arrived at Venice by air, Sir Philip Sassoon, Under-Secretary for Air, and Captain Hubert Broad, who flew in a Moth plane over the Alps accompanied by Mrs. Carbery. The foremost air experts in the world are also in attendance. Eight Italian warships lie in the harbour, where also is the British aircraf-.-carrier Eagle. FRENZIED ENTHUSIASM The whole of Italy is frenzied with enthusiasm about flying, the people recognising that to Italy, with its lengthy seaboard, swift seaplanes are the most vital arm of defence. Nevertheless, the best sportsmanship is manifested. The British entrants have been training like prize-fighters for four months. Owing to a heavy gale, the race, which was set down for Sunday, had to be postponed til! Monday. GREAT DUEL ANTICIPATED Because of the withdrawal of the United States, the race has resolved itself into a duel between Italy and Britain. The preliminary trials have been confined to tests of the naviga bility and water-tightness of the seaplanes. A most exciting race is expected. It is certain that the winning machine must be capable of approaching a speed of 300 miles an hour or five miles a minute. It is difficult to believe the Italians have anything “up their sleeves.” The

danger lies in the sharp turns which must be made at this terrific speed. The pilots will discard everything possible. They will waar only shorts and shirts. They will not even take their watches. Any loss of speed owing to the weather will possibly mean running out of petrol. Everyone ag;rees that the six seaplanes to compete are the fastest in the world, and that their navigation represents the limit of human endurance. The British pilots will take their places in the race in excellent health, yet it is considered that they will be so exhausted at its end that they will have to be carried ashore. DANGEROUS COURSE The course is triangular, left-handed, and full of dangers. One turn has an angle of about 17 degrees. Here only seconds may separate the machines when they are turning, and death may be the penalty of an error of judgment. Another danger to the pilots lies in blood pressure caused by banking at steep angles. Experience has shown that, inlots easily lose consciousness under such pressure. BRITAIN’S REPRESENTATIVES The British contestants are: Flight-Lieutenant Kinkead, who was born in South Africa in February, 1597. He had a wonderful war record. Flight-Lieutenant Webster, of Walsall, who was born in 1900. He was h private in an infantry regiment before he joined the Air Force. It is understood that his , machine is the speediest of the three British entrants. Flight-Lieutenant Worsiey, who was born in Kensington in 1898. He joined the Royal Navy as a mechanic. —A. and N.Z.-Sun.