IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1919, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

" THE TRANS-ATLANTIC TEIP. DETAIL OF THE- STARTING. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrleht. Received June 20, 1.35 a.m. New York, June 14. » The New York Times' St. John's correspondent reports that the VickersVimy aeroplane started for England under especially hazardous circumstances. A veering wind was blowing with the strength of half a gale. Muller, head of the Vickers aviation department, forbade Aleock to make a start, but tie pilofl finally succeeded in obtaining permission. The plane rose a hundred feet in the air, | fought the wind valiantly, but, because i it wag heavily loaded, did not succeed at first in gaining altitude, but at last the machine shot higher and circled over St. John's, and then headed seaward. Aleock expressed a hope that they would attain an average speed of 90 miles an' hour for the entire trip. News of their departure was sent broadcast by the Marconi station to all ships at sea, with a request that they give assistance j if necessary. Two black cats, aB mascots, accompanied the aviators. In the biplane Brown also carried a tiny American flag, given him by his fiancee. Brown is an American.

Each aviator wore an electrically heated waistcoat, gloves, and boots, and carried a flask of brandy and six sandwiches and several bottles of coffee and water. The aviators at first took cigarettes, but later they decided not to smoke because of the danger of igniting the petrol.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.