FROM ENGLAND.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19114, 24 September 1927, Page 15

FROM ENGLAND.

FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA.

FOUR VESSELS TO HOP OFF.

(by cable—feess association - coptbight.) (australian and n.z. and sun cable.)

(Received September 23rd, 7.3-5 p.m.)

LONDON, September 22,

The- Air Ministry announces that four flying, boats will start for Australia from Plymouth on October 17th. Group Captain H. M. Cave-Brown-Cave commands the expedition, SquadronLeader G. E. Livoek is second in command, and the other officers are: — Flight-Lieutenants 1?. E. Maitland, S. T. Freeman, L. V. Carnegie, C. G. Wigglesvvorth, H. G. Sawyer, and Flying Officers B. Cheeseman, S. D. Scott, and G. E. Nicholetts. Each boat carries a crew of four. "'ho route will be: France, Berne, Naples, Brindisi, Crete, and Aboukir, coastwise to Alexandretta, and overland to Bagdad and Karachi, circuiting the coast to India for the first time, including Bombay. Thereafter, the route will bo to Ceylon, Madras, Calcutta, Rangoon, Penang, and Singapore, first touching Australia at Broome, and proceeding thence to Carnarvon, Fremaiitle, Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne. Sydney, Brisbane, and elsewhere, returning via Singapore, An official says that the boats will not attempt quick passages, as the intention is to show the Flag in the furthermost parts of the Empire, gaining experience in the operation of fly-ing-boats on a mobile basis. FOR INDIA. (Received September 24th, 1.5 .a.m.) LONDON, September 23. Charles Devine and Captain Hinchcliffc have left for India. They made a thrilling start, and taxied for a mile before rising. The machine then bumped badly, with its nose tilted towards the earth. Hinchcliffe skilfully steadied it, and the 'plane soared up triumphantly, and departed at a high speed, carrying 490 gallons of petrol, sufficient for 50 hours of flight. There is no wireless on the 'plane for fear of sparks igniting the petrol.