AIR FLIGHTS.
CAIRO TO THE CAPE. VSUZ ONE FLYER LEFT 1& Br Tdijra&n—Press Ahb.**Cop>»l«M. Received March t, 7.20 p.in. London, March 1. Colottel Van Ryneveld is the only flyer left in the C»pe race. Lieut. Cotton's and Captain Cockerels machines were wrecked, Major Brackley came to grief near Atbara, and Major Welsh was forced to descend at Koroska with his machine damaged,—Aus.-N.Z. Oable Assn. Capetown, Marcli 8. The Silver Queen machine is delayed at Livingstone owing to heavy rain. FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA. CAPTAIN MATTHEW'S IN INDIA. Receives March 4, 5.5 p.m.
Karachi, March 3. Captain Matthews has arrived from Jask, where he made a forced landing on February 23 to repair his aeroplane's propellor, which was shaky. He may remain here awaiting a new propellor from Calcutta.—Reuter Service. The original Silver Queen, a VickersViiny machine managed by Colonel Van Ryneveld and Lieutenant Brand, left London on February 10. The crossing of the Mediterranean was described by Colonel Ryneveld as an tinforgettable nightmare. They left Gioja del Colle, Italy, at 9.30 p.m., in the darkness, calculating to pass Crete, and then strike south for Solium, but their lights suddenly failed, and they were in complete darkness except for an electric torch, which they switched on the compass in order to keep their course. A tempestuous wind sprang up, the aeroplane rising and falling 500 ft. Little headway w4s made against the gale, and the machine was blown back for an hour and" a half, but the airmen stuck doggedly to their work. The pilot* changed over every four hours, which was a difficult operation in the gale, which lasted all night, causing the machine to wobble alarmingly. A great drowsiness overcame the airmen, and Colonel Ryneveld was obliged continually to hit his face With his gloves to prevent sleep, meanwhile switching the electric torch on to Captain Brand's face to keep him awake. The airmen never saw Crete. which Was covered with storm-clouds. The machine rose 0000 ft, just skimming the clouds, but frightful storms were encountered to the southward. The torch grew dimmer and dimmer, but fortunately lasted "till dawn, r" ich revealed a limitless expanse of heaving sea. An hour and a half afterwards they sighted the distant land, which they reached and landed in a field near Derga. On February 10 the airmen left Cairo for the flight over Africa. Misfortune, however, early overtook them. About half-way between Cairo and Khartoum the water ran out of the radiator, and the machine became over-heated, and caught fire. As a result of the forced landing the aeroplane was crashed beyond repair. The crew were unhurt, and a steamer was sent from Wady Haifa to their assistance. A few days later a new Viekers-Vimy aeroplane, identical with the Silver Queen, arrived, and the South Africans were enabled to resume their flight.
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Taranaki Daily News, 5 March 1920, Page 5
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470AIR FLIGHTS. Taranaki Daily News, 5 March 1920, Page 5
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