DUE TO-MORROW

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 203, 29 August 1939, Page 10

DUE TO-MORROW

U.S. FLYING BOAT.

ARRIVAL ABOUT 1.30.

START FINAL LAP AT DAWN.

TAKE OFF FROM NOUMEA.

If the release signal is flashed from Auckland at dawn to-morrow, PanAmerican Airways' giant California Clipper will lift from the waters of the new base at Noumea, Xew Caledonia, and bear steadily southward on the last stajre of her 7952-mile ocean survey flight from San Francisco to Auckland.

Though, as previously announced, adverse weather conditions will affect the schedule, present plans provide for a take-off from New Caledonia at 6.30 a.m., Xew Zealand time, and a landing at Auckland early in the afternoon — probably about 1.30 p.m.

Announcement to this effect was made to-day by Mr. D. Walker, PanAmerican Airways' airport manager at Auckland, who has controlled the flight since the Clipper loft Canton Island.

Responsibility for the safety of tie giant machine lies in Mr. Walker's hand. Therefore until the radio message that he has granted a release is received at Noumea, the Clipper cannot leave for Auckland.

Mr. Walker announced this afternoon that a preliminary meteorological report was being prepared, and would be forwarded to New Caledonia about three o'clock. A final report would be prepared by the company's meteorologist at Auckland, Mr. T. B. Buxton, at midnight. If this showed satisfactory conditions, permission for the flight would be sent to Noumea at 5 a.m. 'lhe early arrival of the Clipper would give many city workers an opportunity fo watch the landing during their luncheon recess. Landing at Noumea. Hood conditions met the Clipper throughout her "hop" yesterday from Canton Island to Noumea, where a landing was made at 6.30 p.m. after an allday flight. The schedule provides for a lay-over at Noumea, so that Government and Pan-American officials travelling in the Clipper may examine the new base. - Details of the amount of petrol and oil required, the. probable conditions for the flight, the best course to follow and the most suitable altitude will be forwarded to the commander of the Clipper, Captain J. H. Tilton, in addition to meteorological reports.

For the Canton-Noumea flight the machine, on Mr. Walker's advice, carried 3780 gallons of petrol, enough to take her 2926 miles. The actual distance between the two bases is only 1981 miles. Part of the big margin was to allow for deviation to either side of the direct course for survey purposes. The policy of the company is usually to carry about 40 per cent more petrol than is actually required.