FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1928, Page 7

FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA.

R.A.F. PILOT TAKES OFF

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) LONDON, April 23.

Wing-Commander Manning took off from the Lympne (Kent) aerodrome at '5.30 a.in. to-day for Australia.

Only a few people witnessed the departure. The heavily-loaded machinc took off splendidly. The weather was fine, and there was 110 wind. The visibility was good. Thus quietly started a flight which the airman had managed to keep secret from the London newspapers until a few days ago.

AUSTRALIAN BORN.

ON A BUSINESS TRIP. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 1 p.m.) KUGBY, April 23. Wing-Coiiiiiiander Edye Manning, like Hinkler, is an Australian, and he is making the flight to his own country to attend to private business. He has been plated on' half-pay in order to do so. His monoplane is a Westlaiul Widgeon, which is of a distinctive type. Normally long distance efforts are made in biplanes, but the performance of a light monoplane like tiie "VVkigeon can be excellent in the hands of a skilled pilot. Commander Manning was flying when aviation was in its infancy, and has set up a fine record as an airman. He served with distinction in France during the war, and subsequently in Iraq. He has the D.S.O. and the M.C.