TRAGEDY IN AIR RACE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21904, 3 October 1936, Page 15

TRAGEDY IN AIR RACE

TWO KILLED IN CRASH

NEW ZEALANDER STILL ELIGIBLE ONLY MACHINE REMAINING IN EVENT• (TOUTED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received October 2, 5.5 p.m.) JOHANNESBURG, October 1. The Airspeed Envoy aepplane, flown in the England-South Africa air race by Messrs Max Findlay and Ken Waller crashed when attempting to leave Abercorn in Northern Rhodesia. Mr Findlay and Mr Morgan, the wireless operator, were killed. Mr Waller and the mechanic, Mr Peachey, were not seriously injured, Mr Victor Smith (Miles Spa;*v,w Hawk) and the New Zealander, Flying Officer A. Clouston (Miles Hawk Speed-Six) were then the only competitors left in the race. Later came the news that Mr Smith, who v»as delayed by engine trouble on the first day and had struggled on as far as Greece, had retired from the race. Misfortune still dogged him, for on the return flight to England he crashed in Austria. He suffered minor injuries find his machine was badly f 3 imaged.

Fiying Officer Clouston, wh> is delayed at Khartoum with engine trouble, is eligible for the handicap prize, but must arrive here by 6.34 a.m. (British su.nmer time) on Sunday. Accident Described When Mr Waller was about to leave Abercorn there was difficulty in starting the engines and the maenme was delayeu lor 75 minutes. Soon after the take-off he had to return. An eye-witness of the accident said: “Immediately after their return to Abercorn the wind changed and t’ e airmen were advised net to depart, especially as they had to run uphill. Mr WaLer was determined not to wait, for he thought he had a good chance of catching Scott. Accordingly he began the laial run. The aeroplane managed to lift from the ground, but it could not clear the trees at the end of the aerodrome. It crashed straight into them and fell to earth smashed to hundreds of pieces. . “Four bodies were seen lying in the debris. Findlay and Morgan were terribly injured and lived only a few minutes. Waller and Peachey struggled to their feet, both suffering broken ribs. Their legs were hurt, but their condition is hot serious. They are now in the Abercorn Hospital.” Mr Morgan, who was 28 years of age, was married only three months ago. His wife is employed at the Croydon aerodrome. It is now recalled that the machine was No. 13 in the race. The question of changing the number was raised before the start, but the airmen refused. Donor’s Regrets On learning of the death of Messrs Findlay and Morgan, Mr I. W. Schlesinger, the South African miLionaire, and donor of the £IO,OOO prize for the air race, said: “My g.--f at the tragic end of two gallant airmen is intensified on learning that one has a wife and two children and the other a wife, but it is not my intention that their dependents shad suffer. Further, if no other competitors arrive within the scheduled time, I am of opinion that £6OO, the balance of the prize-money, should go to the dependents of the two victims. “In addition, I have instructed my representatives in London to make all investigations possible, and to express my desire to extend suitable aid to the widows and children.” Mr C, W. A. Scott, when ttld of the disaster, said: “I am .immeasurably die’ essed. I knew both boys well.” Winners’ Time The official time of the winners, Messrs Sco.t and Giles Guthrie (Percival Vega dull), was 52 hours 56 minutes 48 seconds, and their average speed was 123 miles an hour. . , “It was just an ordinary job of work,” said Mr Scott. “There were no high spots or tough-weather. It was a bit mucky and bumpy after leaving Tabora in Tanganyika, but it was less exacting than the Melbourne flight, because it was shorter.” Mr Scott has decided not to continue to Cape Town in an. attempt to g:.ln a new record. He revealed that until he landed he was not aware of whether he was still in the race. He expresced regret at Major S. Ha’se’s ill luck. Mr Scott has received a telegram of congratulation from the Secretary of State for Air (Lord Swinton). The telegram says:—“lt is a great tribute to your airmanship ar 1 endurance that you should have repeated your success in the Melbourne race of two years ago. JThe result is a striking justification also qf the intentions of the donor and organisers of the race in I„monstrating the excellence of British aircraft design.” A fund has been opened at the suggestion of the Minister for Defence (Mr O. Pirow) and with the approval of the Prime Minister (General J. B. Hertzog) and the Minister for Finance (Mr N._ C. Havenga), to mark South Africa’s appreciation of Major Halse’s effort in the race. [Mr Max Findlay, who was chief instructor to National Flying Services at Hanworth, was born in February, 1898, He served with the Royal Air Force during the Great War. He was a member of the technical committee of the British Gliding Association and Was an examiner for instructors to the Guild of Air Pilots.]