AIR RECORD CLAIM

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 85, 11 April 1933, Page 7

AIR RECORD CLAIM

ITALIAN SPEED ACE.

Average of 439 Miles an Hour

On Lake Garda.

TWO-PROPELLER MACHINE.

(United P. A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 12 noon.)

LONDON, April 10,

Warrant-Officer Agello, of the Italian Air Force, is reported to have attained an average speed on three attempts over the measured mile at Lake Garda exceeding 439 miles an hour. If this is substantiated it beats Flight-Lieutenant Stainforth's world record of 408 miles an hour, made over the Solent in September, 1931.

Agello is the only sui-vivor of a little band of heroes of five, all of whom were killed attempting to west the record from Britain. He flew a Macchi 'plane with a 2800 horse-power engine, with two propellers revolving in opposite directions.

Italy has officially claimed the record. The Air Ministry announces that Agello averaged 426.5 miles in five flights, the highest speed being 432.8. The Ministry permitted Agello's attempts as the Macchi, with a Fiat engine, although it vfaa not completed in time for the Schneider Trophy race in 1931, later reached unprecedented speeds.

Italy is now perfecting a new machine of greater fineness and power to reattack the record.

It is recalled that Agello twice narrowly escaped death, crashing in Lake Garda during Macchi trials.