ZEPPELIN WORLD FLIGHT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 707, 5 July 1929, Page 10

ZEPPELIN WORLD FLIGHT

ROUND GLOBE IN FOUR GREAT HOPS PARACHUTE FOR STOWAWAYS (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 9.5 a.m. BERLIN, Thursday. Dr. Hugo Eckeiier intends to endeavour to navigate the Graf Zeppelin round the world in 14 flying days, leaving about nine days for refuelling and for receptions. He proposes to start in the middle of August and to take 20 passengers. The total flying distance will be 20,000 miles. The longest non-stop stage of the flight will be between Friedrichshafen and Tokyo, 6,500 miles. From Tokyo Dr. Eckeiier proposes to fly to San Diego, California, thence to Lakehurst, New Jersey, and back, to Friedrichshafen, thus making the journey in four giant stages. A route via North Hawaii will be followed across the Pacific. Dr. Eckener, interviewed, said the start must be made before August 15, in order to avoid typhoons, which would easily smash and crumple up the dirigible. He expects an average speed of 65 miles an hour, and is taking 20 passengers, among whom Lady Drummond Hay will be the only woman. Others will be American and Japanese naval officers and several journalists. The cost of the world cruise is £25,000, including insurance of the Zeppelin to an extent of £160,000. “The dirigible is carrying several hundred pounds of mail, but this time no monkeys. If stowaways are found, I mean to give them a parachute and tell them to jump.”