POLAR FLIGHT.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18367, 28 April 1925, Page 9

POLAR FLIGHT.

ASSEMBLING THE 'PLANES.

ENGINES RUN SMOOTHLY.

(BT CABLE—rEESS associatiox—coptmght.) (ATrSTRAIIASf AKD S.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

LONDON, April 26.

Captain Amundsen, iu a wireless message, from King's Bay, says that the work of assembling the "planes is proceeding satisfactorily. Both 'planes are now ashore with the engines fixed, and have been tried out with excellent results. They started easily in spite of the bitter cold. The only work remaining is to fix the wings in position. Provided the unforeseen does not occur, the 'planes should be ready for a trial flight on Saturday week.

Meteorologists and wireless operators aboard tho Pram are busy receiving weather reports, Special notices are being received via Washington and Stavanger. It is unfortunately found impossible to receive tlirect messages from St. Paul and Behring Strait. Several balloons 3re sent up daily to determine the direction and velocity of the higher winds. When the 'planes arc finished the observations of the temperature and moisture at a height of 3000 metres will be concluded.

"Ellsworth, both pilots, and myself," says Amundsen, "are daily testing tho instruments and making observations with a view to gaining practice in the methods of navigation to bo used during tho flight. After the clear and bitterly cold weather of the last few days, the conditions are now mild, cloudy and foggy."