MEETING IN THE SKY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 252, 25 October 1933, Page 13

MEETING IN THE SKY.

APPOINTMENT WITH "SMITHY." Appointments in this workaday, rushing world are usually connected with street corners, dentists' chairs or hotel lounges. But yesterday (writes Margaret Gilruth in the Melbourne "Herald") I kept an appointment in the sky—with a national hero. On Saturday, the chief instructor of the Aero Olub had wired "Smithy"— "Meet us at 2000 ft over Donnybrook." This "us" denoted seven silvery Moths and 14 human beings, efficient in uniforms of brown leather helmets and goggles. As the aerodrome clock showed 2.30 p.m., the little Moths stood spruce and shining in a long straight row across the aerodrome. Silently the pilots climbed into their cockpits, before an enormous admiring crowd. Small boys shouted and cheered. But no flippancy was permissible at Kssendon that afternoon among Smithy's escort. This was more than an appointment we were going to keep. It was a tryst. Soon the seven Moths scuttled across the 'drome and soared into the breath of !a sweet, soft breeze. Once up, six 'planes fell back to leave chief instructor and 'plane "L.8." to take the lead of the formation. Then two by two, we fell back to form the phalanx. Round the aerodrome we whirled. _ But that was just in the nature of a preliminary canter. That was nothing. This appointment at 2000 ft over Donnybrook at 3.10 was in everybody's mind as we sped down the Sydney express rail-line. It was a clear, perfect day to those who waited at the aerodrome. But in the air it was bumpy, and a myriad airpockets swayed us up and down with the i power of Atlantic breakers. Every pilot's eye was focussed on the leader and "L.8." Suddenly up went his left hand, as he cast a quick glance behind. Then across to the left it swung in a movement full of decision and personality. Nobody could mistake the meaning of the order. Round to the left whirled the formation of seven 'planes, all rigidly keeping position. The maze of paddocks, farmhouses, road arteries and Sydney express lines passed below. Above hung feathery clouds. For'rard I peered into-an impenetrable haze. "Visibility poor, isn't it?" muttered the pilot behind me. Then suddenly, up in the midst of the formation and of my thoughts there sprang a stream-lined apparition. It was a shining, eau de nil green. And as it soared into the sunshine above us, a hand w&ved out of a cockpit, glass encased. It was Smithy! I glanced at my watch. It showed 3.10. Down below lay Donnybrook; the altimeter needle quivered at 2000 ft. Smithy had kept his appointment with princely precision! He and his record-breaking 'plane swung down to our level and careered on ahead, while the seven little Moths blustered along, with their throttles wide open and engines roaring, in an effort to keep up with this Percival Gull with the lovely lines. Then Smithy realised and slowed down to our meagre 80 m.p.h. and so made it possible for us to escort him into Essendon. As we all floated through the sunshine I looked and wondered at that 'plane. Our moths looked like the girls of the 90's, managing wide, unwieldy skirts, beside this 1933 apparition with its trim sports figure. Beauty combined with utility. To me, flying along behind her, that seemed to typify "Miss Southern Cross." i Then, when Essendon was approaching, I Smithy sped away and left us. He dived and circled for the crowd's delight, before he landed