IN LIGHT WESTERLY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 456, 11 September 1928, Page 1

IN LIGHT WESTERLY

EASY TAKE-OFF AT RICHMOND THE SETTING SUN (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service) SYDNEY, To-day. After having been delayed for a week at Richmond awaiting favourable conditions over the Tasman Sea, the Southern Cross hopped off at about 5.30 p.m. yesterday on the long flight to New Zealand. The weather locally was perfect, with- a light westerly breeze to help the huge plane along. If this should hold for any length of time it should make an appreciable difference in the time of its arrival at Christchurch tomorrow. Squadron-Leader Klngsford Smith remarked before mounting to the cockpit that the weather was not so good, but it was good enough. On that he decided to make the venture. Yesterday thousands of people had visited Richmond hoping to see the start of the epoch-making flight, but this afternoon only a few people were p: esent apart from members of the Air Force. However the scene was one of intense excitement. The four airmen were on the ground early, and the big plane was run out and its engines were tuned up. As the level rays of the sun, setting like molten gold behind the purple Kurrajong heights,

streamed across the aviation field the airmen bade their friends farewell and took their places. Kingsford Smith's mother was among the last to 3peak to him. and Lieutenant Ulm’s wife bade him farewell. z When all was ready Smith, who was at the controls, nodded to the waiting Air Force men and the chocks were removed from the wheels. The roar of the propellers increased and the big craft moved off a little distance. Then willing hands lifted the tail of the fuselage to point it in the direction which would give the longest run, and the machine began to taxi forward. With increasing speed it ran about 300 yards. Then it. left the ground in a steady upward flight toward Richmond. Turning in a circle the Southern Cross came back over the air-

drome at a low altitude and set off toward Sydney and the coast. Those j on the ground waved good-bye. About a quarter of an hour later the machine crossed the coast at an altitude of more than 3,000 ft. The airmen wirelessed: “The sky is now overcast. We have struck slight bumps. Our air speed is 77 miles an hour.” The flotilla leader Anzac, the fastest destroyer in the Australian Navy, is patrolling the sea some distance out and the steamer Maheno, bound for Wellington, should be able to give useful advice by wireless as to the weather conditions, as well as aiding the navigator to keep his direction. Only a limited supply of food was taken, with water and hot drinks in thermos flasks. Wreaths will be dropped at sea in memory of Hood and M oncrieff. CORKSCREW SPINS AND THRILLING NOSE-DIVES AIRMAN AMUSES CROWD At 9 o’clock Captain J. L. Findlay, in a Gloster Grebe, took off, and for 10 minutes thrilled the crowds with hair-raising stunts. Rising high into the air, started with left-side bank upward, attaining a high altitude. Coming back over the airdrome he rose to 2,000 feet, where he looped the loop, following this with a half-roll. Flattening out, he flew over the airdrome high up, then cut off his engine, volplaning to 200 feet above the ground, when he shot skyward again. Then came the most thrilling stunt. From 2,000 feet he dropped suddenly, doing a triple corkscrew spin with his engine off. Captain Findlay then raced past the airdrome at a terrific speed and la.nded to the accompaniment of cheers from the crowd.

FLIGHT STORY The story of the flight is continued on page 6. On pages 7, S, and 9 appear special flight features.