AMERICAN AIRMAN MAY CIRCLE GLOBE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 161, 11 July 1938, Page 9

AMERICAN AIRMAN MAY CIRCLE GLOBE.

PUBLICITY FUGHT. Carrying Invitations to World Fair. HOP TO PARIS STARTS. Fnited Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 1.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, July 10. The noted American air speed flyer, Howard Hughes, took off at 5.20 for Paris, non-stop, hoping to complete the trip in 22 hours. He will probably continue from Paris in an attempt to circle the world in four days, which would be three days faster than the late Wiley Post’s flight in 1933. Hughes is piloting a twin-motored Lockheed “flying laboratory” christened “New York World’s Fair, 1939.” He carries invitations to aero clubs all over the world to participate in the fair. He has a crew of four.

The weather is reported to be favourable. The wind is south-west, promising a tail wind on the Great Circle route.

If the airman proceeds from Paris, he expects to atop at Moscow and two Siberian refuelling points, and at Fairbanks, Alaska, and Edmonton, Alberta. Two factors may end the flight at Paris, namely, the nature of the weather reports received there and the final decision of one European countrv which so far has refused permission to cross it. It is reported, without confirmation, that this is Germany. Hughes slept all day long in preparation for the flight, while mechanics replaced pitted cylinders and faulty magnetos. He previously hoped to take off earlier in the day, due to perfect weather reported round the world. Romance With Film Star Hinted. The United Press learns that Hughes farewelled the film actress, Katherine Hepburn—it has long been rumoured that she is his sweetheart—at Saybrook (Conn.)', where he was visiting, which is probably the reason why the airman arrived at the field half an hour late. The airman has planned to broadcast at 30-minute intervals his position, progress and scientific data from the most elaborate radio equipment ever used on such a flight. The instruments include three transmitters and two radio compasses built especially for the flight. Radio operations in most flights are limited to three wave-lengths, but Hughes is equipped to use the voice or code on 17 wave-lengths. The monoplane has a wing of 63 feet and capacity for 1732 gallons of petrol and 120 of oil. The speed is 250 miles an hour and the flying range 4700 miles.