THE WORLD FLIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1922, Page 5

THE WORLD FLIGHT.

MAJOR BLAKE’S VENTURE. NEW ATLANTIC ROUTE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received May 12, 8.15 p.m. London, May 12. Major Blake’s worK-flight is arousing widespread interest and scores of men and women have offered to accompany him. Lieut.-Colonel L. E. Broome, of the Engineers, has been definitely chosen to take charge of the photographic, cinema and topographic work. He will also conduct geological explorations at certain points. Colonel Broome was formerly a civil engineer at the Aleutian Islands. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. London, April 28. Major W. T. Blake, who has now taken up the world flight project in place of the late Sir Ross Smith, is 31 years of age. He is married and has two children. He served on various fronts as an air intelligence officer. Subsequently in the Middle East area he was largely concerned with the organisation of the Egypt-India and CairoCapetown air routes. Since then he has acted as aviation correspondent of the Daily News. He flew to Russia last summer to investigate the famine conditions. Major Blake proposes to start from the Thames, near the Houses of Parliament, on May 24. If all goes well he hopes to return to England in August or September. His chosen route, which adheres largely to that of Sir Boss Smith, deviates from it in the crossing of the Atlantic. He intends to travel from America by way of’ Greenland, Iceland, and Scotland.

His machine will he fitted with wireless. and will carry petrol to cover 1500 miles, which is nearly double the longest stage over sea. Major Blake will carry a cinematograph camera, as the syndicate which is helping to finance him is determined that the flight shall pay its way. The Napier Company has offered the loan of three engines, one of which will be fitted at the start, while the second will be picked up in Japan, and the third in Canada.