AIR VOYAGING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 June 1939, Page 5

AIR VOYAGING

THE CUBA’S OCEAN FLIGHT PREPARATIONS FOR LONG HOP. AFTER. REACHING COCOS ISLANDS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. BATAVIA, June 6. Mr Jack Percival, tne official correspondent aboard the flying-boat Guba, which is on the first stage of an exploratory flight across the Indian Ocean, says that, providing the weather reports are satisfactory, the Guba will take off for the Cocos Islands tomorrow at dawn. Although the flight from Batavia to the Cocos group is comparatively short, the Guba’s tanks will be filled, giving it a range of about 4000 miles in still air; also it will carry sufficient rations and water to last for a fortnight. Before leaving Sydney Captain Taylor had ap efficient still made, which is capable of converting salt water into fresh water at a useful rate.

The flight on Sunday night and during yesterday was made interesting by continuous contact with the Australian coastal stations and Sydney and Perth. The Guba’s owner, Mr Richard Archbold, and his American crew, are giving the fullest co-operation with Captain Taylor, and have entered into the spirit of the survey with the greatest enthusiasm. Captain Taylor and Captain Yancey are absorbed in each other’s methods of navigation. Every now and then Captain Yancey is seen taking sights aft, while Captain Taylor is working forward. Heavy tropical rain was encountered on Sunday, but not a drop came into the cockpit. The Guba may remain in the Cocos Islands for three or four days, and then take off for the Chagos Archipelago. This will be the longest ocean hop. Arrangements have been made for a ship to be near the Chagos Archipelago during the flight to provide radio aids to navigation if they are required. Mr Percival concludes.