AIR SPEED-KINGS LAUDED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 766, 12 September 1929, Page 9

AIR SPEED-KINGS LAUDED

COOL. HIGHLY-SKILLED, GREATLY DARING MEDAL FOR THE WINNER

(United P.A. — By Telegraph — Copyright) British Official Wireless

Reed. 11 a.m. RUGBY, Wednesday. The King will confer the Air Force Cross on Flying-Officer Waghorn, who won the Schneider Trophy. This was announced today by Lord Thomson, Minister for Air, who presided at a luncheon given in honour of the British and Italian Schneider Trophy teams by the Government. Referring to the British champions, Lord Thomson said: “We are proud of them, because we regard them as worthy representatives of our race—cool, highly-skilled and greatly daring. They represent splendid material carefully developed. We are grateful to them because they carried the hopes of millions of men and women in this country to triumph. They did what was expected of them, and a great deal is expected of all members of the Royal Air Force.” In regard to the Italian team, the Air Minister said: “I do not think I can pay them a higher compliment than by saying that we regard them as great pilots and as very gallant gentlemen. Their names will long be remembered over here, not only for their high courage, but for their skill iu airmanship.” Lord Thomson added that tile contest for the Schneider Trophy had now become an affair of Governments and nations. It was an International concern. There were three factors that counted in the race—men, machines and money. Of the first two there seemed to be no lack, but the amount of money required from the taxpayers gave one furiously to think. ITALIAN TRIBUTE General Italo Balbo, the Italian Under-Secretary for Air, replying, said: “The moment we came to England we felt that British cordiality was with us. That is the reason why we remained in this country, to be with you today, and did not go straight back to Italy, as we intended, to try for the world’s speed record.” Colonel Bernasconi, captain of the Italian team, observed that SquadronLeader Orlebar broke a record yesterday which Italy had held for three years, and in a true spirit of sportsmanship he felt the Italians should try and take that honour from him as soon as possible. Squadron-Leader Orlebar said all the British airmen felt greatly privileged to have taken part in such an event, and they all thanked their Italian rivals for the wonderful show they put up. In spite of difficulties, and the loss of their great Captain Motta, they had done marvels, and the way in which they faced their difficulties was wonderful. NEW TRY FOR RECORD

The British airmen tomorrow, weather permitting, will make an attempt to heat the record of 355.8 miles an hour over a straight course accomplished at Calshot yesterday by Squadron-Leader Orlebar. The reasons are twofold —firstly, the weather conditions yesterday were unfavourable, the visibility being so bad that miles an hour were lost; secondly, Colonel Bernasconi has stated that Italy will make another attempt on the world record next month. He expects one of the Italian new machines, specially built for the purpose, to attain the almost incredible speed of 400 miles an hour over three kilometres. British pilots and designers consider that he is over-optimistic, but they want to guard against any surprise. For two years Great Britain lias struggled to capture the world’s record, and they hope to keep it for at least the same period. In the right conditions, it is thought that the super-marine Rolls-Royce S 6, in which Flying-Officer Waghorn won the Schneider trophy, and in which Squad-ron-Leader Orlebar made the speed record yesterday, ought to do at least 380 miles an hour. It is understood that on medical' advice none of the pilots who took part itt the Schneider Cup race will be engaged in these further high-speed flights. The physical and mental strain of high-speed flying is very great, and it is stated that the pilots will now be given long leave.