ENDURANCE FLIGHT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 222, 8 December 1927, Page 11

ENDURANCE FLIGHT

FURTHER DELAY OVERHAUL OF PLANE By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. OAKLAND. Tuesday. A delay of some days Is likely before Captain Kingsford Smith will make his proposed endurance flight. The tail flutter, which terminated the two previous efforts, is being thoroughly investigated. Captain Smith and Lieutenant Pond attribute this to the air conditions, but some engineers say it was directly attributable to the load carried, which was nearly 16,0001 b. The elevators and rudder are now being removed from the plane, and they will be structurally revised. It is uncertain whether this will delay the projected flight to Australia. Some of Smith’s advisers counsel him strongly to await better weather before beginning the journey, unless he can start with the December full moon or at most, within a day or so after it is full. This means before December 10 or 12 at latest. It is understood that since his arrangements with his backers called for an endurance flight before the start across the Pacific, he may not be able to make the longer journey until the moon has waned considerably. This would add to the period of total darkness in which he would have to fly.—A. and N.Z.