IN THE AIR.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3316, 21 October 1919, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

_ 1 ' AIR FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA. MATTHEWS’ FINAL PREPARp ATIONS. ° ' Received Noon. LONDON.‘ Oct.’ 20. Reports from the Continent state extensive fog areas decided Captain Matthews to postpone his start. The prevailing fog in London and South Eng land would not have deterred the pilot, but he thought it unwise to risk the iuicertainty of landing_ He had planned to/reach Cologne in the first stage, and intends to make the most of the d.ay’g flight by covering a ‘substantial distance. ‘Therefore he decided at mid-day to wait until to-morrow. I\latthe\\'s is deterinilled to start if the nine o’clock Continental weather report is favourable. Crowds of friends gathered at the aerodrome at Heurislow, and Matthews and Kay submitted themselves to many photographers. After they had completed the last details of the packing of rations, cocoa, chocolate, tinned stuffs and thermos flasks, the machine was tuned to the menrent, the mechanics putting the finishing touches during the pievious night. .

INTERESTING DETAILS. THE AIRMEN’S OPINIONS. ' Rcceivéd 10.10 a_m. . LONDON, Oct. 20. Hawker, who intended to fly from a neighbouring aerodrome to escort Matthew-s for a few miles, learned of the postponement by telephone. Hawker flew Matthews’ machine ill all tests, and says the engine is even more perfect than a similar one ‘He used in the Trans—Atlantic flight. A pilot fly‘ing such a machine must stand a good chance.

Matthews, asked whether he was confident he would succeed replied no; but he was hopeful. It was impossible to be confident in the face of such a. task; but he was satisfied nobody could have a _be.tter machine for the attempt. He had just arrived from a farewell visit to his mother at Stranwaer, and said: “I hope soon 'to reach my second -home in “Adelaide.” Kay is disappointed at the postpone.ment, because to-day is his birthday. He embarked in‘ Australia .fo_l- the

front on his birthday. He never thgught of undertaking the {fight

but while awaiting- repativiation he was approached by two Australian officers, who failed to secure an aeroplane, and thus got into touch with Matthews. Kay, who was an engine expert at Ballarat, considers that with Matthew's knowledge of navigation, coupled with his own experience of engines, and both sharing the flying by -means of dual controls, they have the best possible chance. The human factor is reliable; the only unknown quantity is the engine’s powers of endurance under ‘conditions of Such varying character that a preliminary tcst‘ was impossible. I

THE CHANGES OF SUCCESS‘

TIME Too LIMITED.

Received 11.25 a_m. ,

LONDON, Oct. 20.

Every possible safeguard is provid-t ed, including spare engine parts, also a -spare propeller tucked inside the machine, which loaded, has. a weight. of five thousand pounds. The machine has an international registration sign in large black letters on the upper and lower wings. _ Experts fear Pouletsg’ air—colled en.g;ines will be 3. possible source of de--122.3’ when flying in the tropics, and oxpl'csS'thc opinion that Matthews’ water-cooled engine will give a greater chance; but it is generally considered the difficulties are‘ almost unsurmount—able within the allotted time. ”