A TASMAN AIR RACE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21086, 10 February 1934, Page 12

A TASMAN AIR RACE

! « I I | Christchurch Plan j j ATTEMPT TO ATTRACT : FAMOUS PILOTS i Ad air race from Melbourne to i Christchurch in which the competi- | tors in the London to Melbourne ■ centenary air race would take part ! has been suggested in Christchurch, j and those interested in the proposal , are now considering ways and means ! of raising sufficient prize-money to | ensure a large field. Flying men ; see no obstacles in the way of such ; a race, and it is considered that it ; would be such excellent pubI licity for New Zealand that it will jbe possible to raise £SOOO, a sum ; considered sufficient. I "In November a considerable | number of the best pilots and the j fastest aeroplanes in the world will bo in Melbourne, having raced there from London," said Mr P. R. Climie, secretary of the Canterbury Aero Club and former secretary of the New Zealand Aero Club, who is one of those interested in promoting the race. "The opportunity to tempt thorn to come on over the Tasman to New Zealand seems too good to miss. The advantages to the Dominion generally and to Christchurch in particular, of holding such a race seem so big that there appears to be every prospect of financing the project." There could be no better demonstration to New Zealand and to the rest of the Empire of the advances made in flying, and of the possibilities which aviation brought to transport, than a flight from London to New Zealand in which the total time in the air would be less than five days, Mr Climie said. Such a flight would undoubtedly draw attention to the advantages which air mail flown at nearly as great a speed would bring, and it would, too, greatly stimulate interest in commercial flying within New Zealand.

j There was no doubt, he thought, i that very few New Zcalanders realised the advances in aircraft design that had been made overseas recently, and the arrival in New Zealand of a number of aeroplanes capable of cruising at more than 200 miles an hour would bring a new realisation of the benefits of air transport to the public. Proposed Course Some of those interested in the project suggest a course from Melbourne to Sydney, to New Plymouth, to Christehureh. They contend that the Sydney to New Plymouth line will be that ultimately followed by Tasman air services, and that by making this the over-water stage, attention will be drawn to the comparative shortness of the crossing, and to the advantages of making a landfall in Taranaki where Mount Egmont acts, in fine weather, as a convenient beacon. Whether landings should be made at Sydney and New Plymouth would be a matter for later consideration. It is suggested that part of the prize-money might be allotted to a machine, capable of carrying some pay-load, in an attempt to encourage the entry of aeroplanes with commercial possibilities. Although it is expected that some critics will say that such a race would be dangerous, the promoters pay that stages far longer than from Melbourne to Christehureh will be flown by most of the competitors on their way from London to Melbourne Most of the first and major race will be over land, and unsuitable aeroplanes' will be weeded out during that race. I

i Some arrangement would, of ; course, be come to by which the ; start of the race would be delayed | if the forecasts of weather over'the ; Tasman were really bad. The promoters say that though there have I em eight successful Tasman flights there has been only one failure; and not one of the machines which have flown the Tasman has ! been as modern as any that will compete in the race. ; Suitable Aerodrome I Christchurch is selected as the finishing point not only because the project originated here, but because I Wigram Aerodrome is one of the | i'ew in New Zealand large and ! smooth enough for the use of the ! last-landing croft that may be expected to enter. If the New Plymouth aerodrome, which is soon to be improved, is suitable by the time of the race, it is expected that a landing for refuelling will be provided for there. ! A very experienced Christchurch ; i'Jlot. to whom the suggestion was referred last evening, said he saw i no good argument against the race. j The Dole race, from San Francisco to Hawaii, when several lives were lost, would lie quoted by critics, but that had been six years ago, when aeroplanes were not so reliable as now, and the distance was roughly twice as great. The prize money, he thought, would be enough to tempt most of the competitors in the longer race. A condition should be made that the race should not be held unless, there were, say, six competitors. He also suggested that the aeroplanes should visit two or three other New Zealand aerodromes to arouse extra interest. i An attempt will now be made by 1 the promoters to interest such organisations as are likely to help in the financing and organisation of the race. The aer'o clubs will, of course, be among the first approached. Every effort will be made to arouse interest throughout the Dominion, and not in Canterbury and Taranaki alone. It is thought possible that some wealthy New Zealander may emulate. Sir Macpherson Robertson, who gave the prize money for the Melbourne race. Likely Competitors It is certain that Great Britain ; and the United States will be re- ! presented in the race from London to Melbourne, and entries are expected from French, Italian, Dutch, and German airmen. Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith will be a competitor, possibly in an American aeroplane. Mr and Mrs J. A. Mollison have ordered a special aeroplane from the dc Havilland company, and Mr C. W. A. Scott, who held the England-Australia record till last year, will probably use a similar machine. Mr T. N. Stack, a prominent British pilot, is having a two-engined aeroplane built by th" Airspeed Company. Several other British entries are expected. Mr James It. Wcdell, the Ameri-

can who holds th*.- world's land aeroplane .speed record, lias announced that he will fly in the race. Mr Roscoe Turner. Mr James Haizlip, Mr .Tames Doolitlle, and Coptain Frank Hawks are other American airmen, all of them with notableperformances to their credit, who will probably compete. It is generally considered that no aeroplane with a cruising speed of less than 200 miles an 'hour will have a chance in the race, and the flight from London to Melbourne is not expected to take more than four days. With aeroplanes of this type a (light from Melbourne to Chnstchurch should rot take more than seven or eight hours. Among the conditions for the race are many designed to ensure the competence of the pilots, the airworthiness of the machines, and the adequacy of their equipment. These, it is felt, would be additional guarantees of the safety of the Tasman race.

DANGER FOR SOME MACHINES KINGSFOKD-SMITH'S VIEWS MOKK TJIAN ONE ENGINE NEEDED LTHE PKES3 Bpecla! Scrvlco ] AUCKLAND, February 9. "If the Melbourne centenary air race is to be flown by singlc-engined aeroplanes, which is extremely likely, then I cannot suggest or recommend that a further extension to New Zealand be considered," said Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith, when the Christchurch suggestion of a race to New Zealand was referred to him. "In my opinion a long ocean flight on one engine is not in the best interests of aviation."

Sir Charles said he recognised that the Timor Sea stage of 500 miles had been flown many times, but the long stretch of about 1300 miles over the Tasman Sea should not be done on one engine. "Of course, if the race is attempted by multi-engined aeroplanes then an extension to New Zealand can be favourably considered," he said. There was not the slightest suggestion that aerodromes in New Zealand would not be sufficient to cope with the long-distance aeroplanes, he said.