DARING DESCENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 73, 26 March 1923, Page 9

DARING DESCENT.

A 5,000 FEET DROP. TRIPLE PARACHUTE ACT. The huge crowd in attendance at Ellerslie witnessed for the first time in Auckland a triple parachute descent from a seaplane at an altitude of 4500 feet, whilst travelling at over 00 miles an hour.

This spectacular and daring feat was performed by Mr. Albert Eastwood, a' well-known aeronaut, and this descent was the second triple fall he has made in New Zealand. At about a quarter to four the drone of Messrs. Walsh Bros. 130 h.p. Avro seaplane was first heard hy the crowd, as the machine was over the Koliimararaa Flying School circling round and round in order to obtain the required altitude —about 4000 feet. Presently the sound of the exhaust from the rotary engine could be heard vibrating more plainly, and a spot high up in the sky near a bank of cumulus clouds was the cynosure of thousands of pairs of eyes. At four o'clock it was apparent that the pilot. Mr. George Bolt, instructor and chief pilot of the New Zealand Flying School, had obtained the height he required, for he made a graceful "bank" over the course, a trail of oily smoke from the exhausts being left behind as be turned, making the (light a spectacular one.

When about 400 yards south of the course, Mr. Eastwood was seen to leave the cockpit, situated immediately behind the pilot's seat, and walk out carefully along a .'! inch 3-ply platform on the bottom plane of the left wing. About v minute later the intrepid airman, having adjusted bis parachute gear, made a leap in order to clear the wing tip. He dropped about 100 feet, and then to the satisfaction of many of those anxious spectators below, the first parachute, a red one, opened. After gliding down for over a minute, Mr. Eastwood cut the binding ropes of the second parachute, which was of white hue. and commenced his long j glide, nt A slightly faster pace. "Meanwhile the red parachute, after being released, folded itself up and first of all turned over lazily, but later came to earth at a rapid speed. In turn, when about 1000 feet from Mother Earth. Mr. Eastwood transferred from the white to the blue parachute, and catching hold of the swinging trapeze, he glided slowly to earth just outside the course, in a paddock near the Ladies' Mile Koad. The white parachute followed him.

The three coloured parachutes as they came down made a fine sight, apart from the thrilling aspect of the feat. The whole descent occupied about eight, minutes, and as .Mr. Kastwood was seen to land safely, the huge crowd sent up a rousing cheer. They were entirely satisfied with the display, and it appeared that this event was the big draw of the afternoon, as many left immediately afterwards.

When seen by a "Star representative after he had returned to the stand on the course. Mr. Kastwood stated that he made a perfect landing, the only damage sustained being a large rent" in his trousers. Mr. Eastwood paid a warm trihutc to the manner in which Mr Beorge Bolt bad handled the Avro.

Mr. Eastwood was then taken among the crowd and cheered by thousands of pleased spectators.