ATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 77, 31 March 1928, Page 9

ATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Saturated Runway Prevents Rise. GERMANS ANXIOUS TO BE OFF. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.)

LONDON, March 30. The three Germans, Herr Koehl (pilot), Baron Gunther von Huehnefeld (passenger) and Spindler (mechanic), again postponed their trans-Atlantic flight yesterday morning.

It transpires that they did attempt to take off at dawn, but the 'plane could not be raised from the saturated aerodrome.

The crew were bitterly disappointed, especially as at midnight advices from ships in mid-Atlantic had indicated that the flying conditions were exceptionally good. The aviators do not conceal their anxiety to leave.

Reports from Dublin say the crew of the Bremen are silent, but it is known that they are taking every precaution to avoid a failure. With characteristic thoroughness half a mile of runway, ending in a great platform of planks, has been built at the Baldonnel aerodrome.

Baron Huehnefeld has shown the utmost care. An anti-freezing device has been fitted on the 'plane to avoid the collection of ice on the wings, but it is not stated just how this is to be managed. The baron said they simply could not afford to carry wireless. It was too heavy.

A code of signals has been arranged and all vessels on the mapped route hava been notified of it. A green rocket will mean that the airmen are asking for direction to the American coast by the changing of the course of the ship questioned toward it. A red rocket will mean that the 'plane is down on the water and will be a request to send boats. — (A. and N.Z. and Sydney "Sun.")