ROUND-WORLD FLIGHT,

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1922, Page 5

ROUND-WORLD FLIGHT,

MAJOR BLAKE’S PLANS. FOUR MACHINES TO BE TW. London, Mar 6. Major W. T. Blake, who has undertaken the flight round the world, in the ' stead of the late Sir Ross Smith, haa now arranged to begin a flight on Empire Day, May 24. The Daily News states that the air voyage will be divided into four stages, and Major Blake will use a different machine for each one. His first will be a three-seater D.H.9, fitted with a 230-horae-power Siddeley-Puma engine. He will change at Calcutta into a Fairey three-seater seaplane, fitted -with a 360-horse-power Rolls-Royce engine. Another change will be made at Vancouver into a three-seater D.H.9, and a transfer will be made at St. John’s, Newfoundland, for tl*e last stage, into an F. 3 flying boat, equipped with two 360-horse-power Rolls-Royce engines. Major Blake hopes to complete the entire trip in three months. Elaborate precautions have been taken against any inisnap. All the machines are equipped with wireless, and a flotilla of tugs will be sent out from the Aleutian Islands, near Alaska, and from other points. The also will be equipped with wireless, and will be able to render the speediest assistance. They will carry emergency rations. The Atlantic flying boat will be able to ride out the stormiest weather if disabled. The engineering strike has caused Major Blake to alter his plans considerably. His flight partner, Lieutenant Macmillan, is returning to England from Spain. It is expected that a third member will be added to the cre’iv for troublesome portions of the journey.