WILKINS’S AEROPLANE

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 55, 28 November 1929, Page 11

WILKINS’S AEROPLANE

DECEPTION ISLAND CIRCLED EXPLORATION WORK FIRST LONG FLIGHT EXPECTED SOON (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Copyright message from Sir Hubert Wilkins). (Rec. November 27, 7.20 p.m.) Deception Island, November 26. The aeroplane San Francisco to-day circles the heart of Deception Island and the volcanic crater. Cheeseman made the take-off. This was possible only because the aeroplane is fitted with special large size tires. Crusted snow and volcanic cinders saturated with moisture lined the runway. Ordinary wheels would have sunk beyond the possibility of movement. Cheeseman circled the island for five minutes, and then we heard the engine die. We had visions of disaster, but with trained pilot’s instinct Cheeseman turned on the taps of three fuel tanks, and once more the aeroplane took up a steady roar. It turned out that Cheeseman started with only one tap on. After fifteen minutes he glided to a splendid landing. Cramer afterwards took the controls and climed to three thousand feet. He then demonstrated the fitness of the ’plane and his own skill, and landed on the narrowest part of the runway. The sky above was clouded, but far to the southward clear sunlight shone. Graham Island stood out with crystalline brilliance. We hope soon to begin the first lengthy exploration flight.