PROUD OF THEM.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 216, 12 September 1929, Page 7

PROUD OF THEM.

TRIBUTE TO AIRMEN.

Winners Of Blue Riband Of Aviation. ITALIANS ALSO PRAISED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 12 noon.) RUGBY, September 11. Lord Thomson, Minister of Air, presided at a luncheon given by the Government in honour of the British and Italian Schneider trophy teams. Referring to the British champions. L<?rd Thomson said: ''lYe are proud of them because we regard them as worthy representatives of our race, cool, highlyskilled and greatly daring; splendid material carefully developed. We are grateful to them because they carried the hopes of millions of men and women in this country to triumph.

'•'They did what was expected of them and a 'jrc deal is expected of all menr bers of uie Roval Air Force."

In regard to the Italian team, the Air Minister said: "I do not think I can pay them a higher compliment than by saying that we regard them as great pilots and very gallant gentlemen. Their names will long be remembered over here, not only for their high courage, but for their skill in airmanship." Lord Thomson added that the contest for the Schneider trophy had now become an affair of Governments and nations. It was an international concern. There were three factors .that counted in the race, men, machines and money. Of the first two there seemed to be no lack, but the amount of money required from the taxpayers gave one furiously to think.

General Balbo, the Italian UnderSecretary for Air, replying, said: "The moment we came to England we felt that British cordiality was with us. That is the reason we remained in this country to be with you to-day and did not go' straight back'to Italy, as we intended to try for the world's speed record."

Colonel Bernasconi, captain of the Italian team, observed that SquadronLeader Orlebar broke the record yesterday which Italy had held for three years, and in the true spirit of sportsmanship he felt that the Italians should try and take that honour from him as soon as possible.

Squadron-Leader Orlcbar said that all British airmen felt greatly privileged to have taken part in such an event and they all thanked their Italian rivals for the'wonderful show they put up in spite of difficulties and the loss of tlieir great airman, Captain Motta. They had done marvels, and the way in which they faced their difficulties was wonderful. Further Attempt on Record. The British airmen will, to-morrow, weather permitting, make an attempt to beat the record of 3f>s.S miles an hour over a straight course accomplished at C'alshot yesterday by SquadronLeader Orlebar. The reasons are twofold, firstly the weather conditions yesterday were unfavourable, the visibility being so bad that miles an hour were lost, and secondly, Lieutenant-Colonel Bernasconi, captain of the Italian team, has stated that Italy will make another attempt on the world record next month.

He expects one of the Italian new machines specially built for the purpose to attain the almost incredible speed of 400 miles an hour over three kilometres. British pilots and designers consider he is over optimistic, but they want to guard against any surprise.

For two years Great Britain ha? struggled to capture the world's record, and they hope to keep it for at least the same period. In the right conditions it is thought that the Supermarine Rolls-Royce SO, in which Captain Wagborn won the Schneider trophy and in which Squadron-Leader Orlebar made the speed record yesterday, ought to do at least 3SO miles an hour.

It is understood that on medical advice none of the pilots who took part in the Schneider Cup race "will be engaged in these further high speed flights. The physical and mental strain of high speed flying is very great, and it is stated that the pilots will now be given long leave.