TASMAN FLIGHT

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 243, 14 July 1928, Page 10

TASMAN FLIGHT

KINGSFORD SMITH’S PLANS CROSSING EARLY IN AUGUST' TAKING ADVANTAGE OF FULL MOON (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Sydney, July 13. Captain Kingsford Smith expects to begin his flight to New Zealand between August 1 and 4, hopping oil at midnight, Sydney time, and faking advantage of the full mopn. He originally intended to await liew propeller blades, due on August 4, but the flyers are prepared to venture witii the present blades in order to have a good moon. NEW ZEALAND WIRELESS OPERATOR (Kcc.July 13, 11.15 p.m.) Sydney, July 13. A statement/published to-day that Keith Anderson would accompany Kingsford Smith and Ulm on the New Zealand flight was contradicted by Ulm, who says the fourth member of the party will be a New Zealand wireless operator, who will be selected by the New Zealand authorities.

DOMINION ITINERARY NOT SETTLED WELLINGTON MAY BE VISITED Up till late yesterday AMr. E. G. Martin, New Zealand manager of the Atlantic Union Oil Company, had received no advice from Kingsford Smith regarding the date of starting the flight to New Zealand. Before he had seen 'the Press message announcing that the flight, would take place between August 1 and 4, Mr. Martin informed a “Dominion” representative that the Southern Cross would take off from Sydney at night in order to have the maximum amount of daylight ahead when nearing New Zealand. Assuming that the aviators left Sydney at midnight (about 1.30 a.m. New Zealand time), and giving the ’plane a speed of 80 to 90 miles an hour, the Southern Cross would arrive at Christchurch somewhere about 3.30 p.m. or 4 p.m. (New Zealand time). In the meantime very complete arrangements are being made ' by the Atlantic-Union Oil Company to supply the Southern Cross with fuel and oil at Christchurch, and elsewhere in New Zealand. Owing to the height of the ’plane and its fuel tanks special provision is being made to.get the motorspirit and oil from the motor lorries into the ’plane’s tanks. Mr. Martin says the New Zealand itinerary of the Southern Cross had not yet' been definitely fixed. Captain Kingsford Smith is being supplied by the Government officers with a report op the possibilities of the big ’plane being able to land at Wellington. Mr. Martin believes that if Kingsford Smith is satisfied that a safe landing is possible here, the Southern Cross will visit Wellington later on. It is understood that Kingsford Smith proposes to fly from Christchurch to Auckland, and that he will visit Wellington on route provided a landing and take-off can be made here.