IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1919, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

TRANS-ATLANTIC FLIGHT. AVIATORS' EXPERIENCES. B 7 Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, June 13. The Vickers-Vimy aeroplane was due to arrive in Ireland at noon. The weather was ideal. A later message says that Alcock and Brown are in the best of health and spirits. Their worst trouble was landing in boggy ground at Clifden, County Qalway (not Clifton). The fuselage was buried at the nose.

Alcock, interviewed, said: "We were tired of being alone in the fog and drizzle. Sometimes we discovered that we were flying upside down. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

London, June 15. Alcock and Brown were 16 hours 12 minutes on their journey. Arriving at the wireless station at Clifden, they circled round the aerials, looking for a landing place, and finally slightly damaged the machine in landing in a bog. The Marconi staff rushed to their assistance and found Brown dazed and Alcock deaf from the shock of landing. The staff escorted the aviators triumphantly, receiving them into their house, where they soon fully recovered.

Brown states that they were constantly in a thick fog and mist. They sometimes found themselves flying 11,000 feet hi 'i, and at other times upside down ten feet from the water. Alcock and Brown are well and in good spirits after their 16 hours' flight. A wireless message states that a propeller flew off shortly after leaving St. John's. Their wireless was much jammed by messages not intended for the machine.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

AVIATORS CONGRATULATED BY ROYALTY. . AIRSHIP'S SUCCESSFUL TRIAL. Received June IC, 8.15 p.m. London, June 15. 1 ne King and Queen sent the warmest congratulations to the aviators Alcock and Brown. The latter is shortly to marry the daughter of Major Kennedy, one of the chiefs of the Aircraft Produc-

tion Department of the Ministry of Munitions. She is naturally delighted and almost overwhelmed at the result of the flight.

The Aero Club describes the airmen's feat as one of marvellous swiftness of transit, coming as a great surprise.

As soon as the machine has been repaired Alcock will continue his journey. He proposes to give an exhibition over London.

Alcock made a great reputation as a nieht-flyer during the war.

The Vickers-Vimy machine used was an ordinary war machine, the only alteration being the substitution of petrol tanks for bombs. Hawker, interviewed, 3aid that Alcock's feat was magnificent. He was very glad that Alcock was able to make the fliffht in real fashion, without the I aid of ships and all that kind of thing. The army airship R34 made a most I successful trial prior to its Atlantic flight and established wireless communication with the Azores.—Aus. N.Z, Cable Assoc.

A TERRIBLE JOURNEY. FLYING BOATS MORE SUITED Received June 17, 1 a.m. London, June 15. Alcoek telegraphed to the Daily Mail: "Journey terrible. It is a wonder we arrived at all. Scarcely saw the sun or moon. We plunged into a dense fog. The machine was sheeted in frozen sleet for four hours, but the winds were favorable throughout, and we did not suffer from cold or exhaustion. One-third of our fuel is left. Experience suggests that flying boats are best for the Atlantic."—United Service.