WORLD'S BEST PILOT

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20985, 13 October 1933, Page 11

WORLD'S BEST PILOT

CONGRATULATIONS TO KINGSFORD-SMITH SCOTT PREPARING TO TRY AGAIN (CXIIEl) rKESS ASSOCIATION— ill* ELI'JTIUC TELEGRAM —COri'KIGIIT.) (Received October 12,. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 11. Mr C. W. A. Scott, when he heard that Sir. Charles Kingsford-Smith had broken his England-to-Australia air record, said he was immediately starting preparations to attempt to regain the record. "I am delighted that my friend 'Smithy' has beaten me," he said, "but tell him Jrom me that I am going to try to beat him, though his wonderful performance makes the job hard. It is fitting that the record should be established by an Australian, who also is the world's finest flyer. I intend to try for a new record in March or April. I aim to reach Australia in six and a half days, which seems the utmost possible with the aeroplanes so far built.' The "Star" says Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith has provided the best confirmation of Colonel Lindbergh's opinion that he is the world's leading airman. Lord Wakefield, Air Commodore J. A. Chamier, and LieutenantColonel J. T. C. Moore-Brabazon all agree that Sir Charles Kings-ford-Smith's record further proves that he is the world's best pilot. Colonel the Master of Sempill says: The flight is one of the most magnificent feats yet seen, quite what one expected from Sir Charles. Mr J. H. Thomas, Secretary of j State for the Dominions, says: | Hearty congratulations upon "another Empire triumph."

| SYDNEY ON SUNDAY | AIRMAN NOW PERFECTLY WELL WINDHAM PREFERRED AS AHiI'OKT (Received October 12, 11.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 12. A message from Wyndham states that Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith left at 8.7 a.m. local time, expecting to reach Brisbane on Saturday, Sydney on Sunday, and Melbourne on Monday. The nervous exhaustion from which he was suffering in the early stages of the trip had completely disappeared. Officials of the Wyndham meatworks entertained him last night. Sir Charles declared that Wyndham has outstanding claims to be the first port of entry l'or aeroplanes from overseas, as the Wyndham route was 100 miles shorter, and lay over 300 miles less water than the Darwin route.

He added that his record was bound to be shattered by competitors in the Melbourn'c centenary air race, but he thought the machine which beat the record would be definitely out of the light aeroplane class.

LANDING AT C A MOO WEAL -j (Received October K5, 1.7 a.m.) •I SYDNEY, October 12. l Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith 1 landed at Camoovveal instead of ' Charlevillc owing to the head winds. 1 He will leave for Brisbane, 1400 miles away, to-morrow. :! j ROYAL CONGRATULATIONS 1 i . J {Received October 12, 11.10 p.m.) ; j SYDNEY, October 12. I The Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) has received the congratulaJ tions of his Majesty the King for j Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith. i j INTERVIEW WITH | AIRMAN ! 11.1.NESS AT BEGINNING OF | FUGIfT j SYDNEY. October 12. Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith has been urged to make the best possible time to Sydney. It is stated that the Federation Aeronautique Internationale recently adopted a number of routes which ,it would recognise for vecord--1 breaking purposes, and indicated that in flights from England to Aus- ] tralia only the London-Sydney 1 route would be recognised. Interviewed at. Vvyndham. Sir i Charles said he felt run down; he .'was "a bundle of nerves. 7 ' He had felt very ill over the first stage of i the flight; from England. ! The morning papers are loud in j their i:"nise of his achievement. j The Prime Minister (Mr J. A. j Lyons) said: "I am never surprised at anything he does, t have no hesitation m saying that I regard him as the greatest airman in the world." I ! LORD LONDONDERRY'S ! _ MESSAGE — " ! ! :> f v.: >I, vi ."yi.r.'r: ! KJGBY, October 11. Sir Charles Kingsford-Smit h's last stage, mainly over the sea, was 1250 miles. He used a new British Percival Gull low-wing monoplane, with a Gipsy engine. On his departure i'ic disclaimed any intention to attack (he record, but later he telegraphed to London from Sourabaya: "Although I have not extended myself, I am well within Scott's record, and am very pleased with the machine's behaviour in all weather. I have therefore decided 1 to go for a new record for the fastest time from England to Australia." i News of his great achievement 1 was immediately telephoned to Sandringham, where his Majesty the King, jvho takes the keenest interest in aviation developments, is in residence. ! Lord Londonderry, Secretary of ■ State for Air, cabled; "On behalf i

of the Air Council I send you the warmest congratulations on your magnificent flight." The Royal Aero Club also cabled its congratulations. "NO TROUBLE TO US" The following cablegram has been received from Sir Charles King.sford-Smith at Wyndham by the Vacuum Oil Company, Ltd.: "Splendid trip. Plume and Mobiloil and your service as usual ail I could wish for. Pcrcival Gull and Gipsy engine performed excellently." Another message from Wyndham was as follows: "Kingsford-Smith landed 5.14 p.m., saying, 'lt is no trouble to us.' His appearance wonderfully fit. Wore grey trousers and white shirt."