ANOTHER POSTPONEMENT

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 15, 12 October 1928, Page 13

ANOTHER POSTPONEMENT

RETURN FLIGHT OF SOUTHERN CROSS ADVERSE WEATHER REPORT LAST NIGHT ELECTRICAL STORMS ON AUSTRALIAN COAST Up till eleven o’clock last night there appeared to be every prospect of |he Southern Cross flyers hopping off at daybreak this morning on their return journey to Australia. Preparations for the flight had been completed during the afternoon, even the rations and hot drinks for the use of the airmen on the journey having been put aboard the monoplane. At eleven o’clock last night, however, the weather report was of such a nature that no other course was open to the airmen but to again postpone the departure.

Dominion Special Service.

Blenheim, October 11,

The inactivity which has characterised the Tasman fliers during the last few days, when there seemed little prospect of the Southern Cross being able to get away for Sydney for a considerable time, came to an end with dramatic suddenness yesterday afternoon, when the Dominion meteorologist (Dr. Kidson) advised that the conditions were improving and that there was a prospect of favourable conditions for to-day or Friday. This.information was followed last night by a further report from Dr. Kidson that the conditions would be more favourable by this afternoon than for some time past. At 9 o’clock this morning Dr. Kidson again advised the flyers to be ready to take off at any time, and although they would prefer to make a daylight trip, Captain Kingsford Smith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm at once gave orders to prepare the Southern Cross for an immediate take off. The great monoplane was accordingly refuelled this morning and shortly after midday was ready to the last tightened bolt and the last ounce of petrol for an immediate departure. At noon, however, a further report from Dr. Kidson was considered, and the flyers decided to adhere to their original intention to make a daylight trip, their general opinion being that they would prefer to make a daylight trip under comparatively indifferent conditions to making a night trip under better weather conditions. It is now decided that the Southern Cross will take off at 4.45 a.m. to-mor-row unless in his special report at 11 o’clock to-night Dr. Kidson indicates that the conditions have become suddenly unfavourable. Activity at Aerodrome. The aerodrome this morning was a scene of phenomenal activity. About 10 o’clock the great task of filling the petrol tanks of the Southern Cross was commenced, while Staff-Sergeant Simpson, with assistance from SergeantMajor Homes and other local enthusiasts set about giving the engines and moving gear the "once over”, to ensure that everything would be in order. In the course of a couple of hours 500 gallons of petrol had been pumped into the tanks of the Southern Cross, making her total load of petrol 750 gallons, which will give her a: cruising range of 26 to 28 hours. At about the same time Sergeant Simpson expressed himself as satisfied that everything in his department was in order, and SquadronLeader Kingsford Smith, - who had closely supervised all the operations, was wreathed in smiles of satisfaction that the “old bus” was ready for anything. Mr. T. H. McWilliams, who spent a busy morning looking over the wireless gear, also expressed himself as content, while the navigator, Mr. H. A Litchfield, after having his chronometer checked by telephone from the observatory at Wellington, declared that his department was also quite ready. x , The flyers returned to town at lunch time with the object of spending the afternoon resting and preparing themselves for the arduous hours which lie before them to-morrow. All hands propose, if the weather conditions continue propitious, to be at the aerodrome at about 4 a.m. There, prior to starting up the engines, they will speak over the radio to the people of New Zealand and Australia, and will make their farewells to the many friends they have made in Blenheim. The engines will be started up at about 4.20 a.m., and the “warming up” process will occupy from 20 minutes to half an hour, after which the big machine will be placed on the runway ready for the take off on the first flight from New Zealand to Australia.

After the big ’plane leaves, the military guard with the searchlight will stand by for 24 hours, so as to be prepared for the possibility of the Southern Cross being compelled by bad weather to return.

Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith concluded his New Zealand visit to-day by putting up a new record for travelling. He left Blenheim in a Bristol at 3.5 p.m. for Trentham, and he was back in Blenheim at 4.40 p.m.. Kingsford Smith having flown the return journey and picked up his passenger in one hour 35 minutes. At 3.7 p.m. the D.H.50 arrived from Christchurch piloted by Captain Findlay. She made a smart trip of one hour 40 minutes. Messrs. George Burns and Scholfleld, of Christchurch, were passengers.

A “FLYING” VISIT SMITH HOPS ACROSS THE STRAIT FOUR MINUTES AT TRENTHAM Wellington had the honour yesterday afternoon of a very brief visit from Squadron-Leader C. E. Kingsford Smith, who flew across Cook Strait from Blenheim to Trentham in a Bristol Fighter. Smith only made up his mind to make the trip an hour or so before he hopped off. A Territorial, who was proceeding to camp at Trentham, was made a proud and happy man by being given a lift over the Strait by the famous aviator. Few people were aware of the visit, and there were only about ten persons, mostly members of the Permanent Military Forces, present at Trentham when the Bristol Fighter landed at 3.45 p.m., after a fast passage across. The aeroplane flew low over the course at the northern end, circled graceftflly round, and made a perfect landing. Captain Kingsford Smith, when the aeroplane came to rest, with his characteristic smile in evidence, at once stood up, tossed the Territorial’s haversack out, and then assisted his passenger to alight. Major T. M. Wilkes, Director of Air Services, then took his place in the aeroplane. The engines had never ceased running, and as soon as the Director of Air Services was ready, Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith taxied back to the northern end of the course, came back, and took off beautifully in a run of about 200 yards. A number of children, just released from school, rushed up to have a close view of the machine, but they were kept out of harm’s way by the members of the Permanent Force.

As the aeroplane rose gracefully, the last that was seen was Major Wilkes at Captain Kingsford Smith’s shoulder waving farewell to the little crowd below.

It was a flying, visit .indeed; the famous airman had come and gone inside the space of four short minutes.

WHAT THE SOUTHERN CROSS WILL CARRY A HEAVY LOAD ADVICE REGARDING COURSE AND WEATHER (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Blenheim, October 11. The necessity for a perfect runway for the Southern Cross was emphasised by some figures given to an “Express” representative this morning by Squad-ron-Leader Kingsford Smith. These show that when the monoplane takes off in the morning the Southern Cross will be called on to lift a total weight of 12,8461 b. This is not her record, for the Southern Cross lifted 15,8001 b. when she attempted to lower the endurance record at San Francisco early this year, but it is a very big lift for a machine of her wing surface. The Southern Cross herself weighs 60001 b., and 750 gallons of petrol weigh 57001 b.; her 24 gallons of lubricating oil weigh 2161 b., the crew 6401 b., rations 401 b, smoke bombs, etc., 1501 b., and mail matter 1001 b. more or less, giving a total weight ' of 12,8461 b.

This morning, after a careful survey of the weather , conditions, Dr. Kldson advised the flyers to ;ly from Blenheim direct to a point in the Tasman Sea 36 degrees south 165 degrees east, which is a spot in mid-Tasman approximately the same latitude as Auckland. From this point the flyers will steer direct for Sydney. Unfortunately they will meet no ships en route. According to Dr. Kidson they should encounter fresh south-westerlies for the first 300 miles, averaging about 20 miles per hour; he recommends that if they are found to be stronger the Southern Cross should put back. AVIATORS EARLY TO BED RATIONS FOR THE LONG JOURNEY Dominion Special Service. Blenheim, October 11. Everything being ready at the aerodrome, the crew of the Southern Cross were early to bed to-night, having left orders that they are to be called at 3.15 a.m. Dr. Kidson’s 11 o’clock report will be received on their behalf by telephone, and they will not be awakened if it is of a favourable nature; if it should be of an unfavourable nature they will be aroused and told to sleep as long as they like, as the flight will be o£L ! .

Under the supervision of the Marlborough Aero Club the scant provisions for the crew were placed aboard the Southern Cross to-night. The rations consist of fifty huge sandwiches, twenty-five being placed in the cockpit for Smith and Ulm, and the other twenty-five in the cabin for Litchfield and McWilliams; five thermos flasks, four filled with hot coffee and the other with a well-known patent food, have also been placed aboard, together with a huge packet of a particular chocolate, which in addition to being a sweetmeat is also a sustaining food.

BROADCASTING THE NEWS

ELABORATE ARRANGEMENTS

Dominion Special Service,

Blenheim, October 11.

Special arrangements have been made for the transmission to Australia of the news of the take-off. of the Southern Cross. Telegraph instruments have been installed at the aerodrome, and the monoplane’s wheels will be scarcely off the ground before the news will be in Sydney. In addition most elaborate wireless arrangements have been made, and the announcer’s voice from the aerodrome will be heard virtually all over the world. From Blenheim the microphone communicates bv special telephone line and cable •with station 2YA Wellington; this station will be rebroadcast by all the other New Zealand stations and by stations in Australia. In addition, 2FC will rebroadcast the messages on short waves for the benefit of the American stations and stations in other parts of the world. Incidentally, Mr. C. A. MacDonald, secretary of the Aero Club, in addition to the legion, of duties which have been his lot during the flyers’ visit, has been requested by the Broadcasting Company to act as announcer.