AIR RACE TO AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 20, 18 October 1930, Page 9

AIR RACE TO AUSTRALIA

Smith’s Fast Flight OFF TO SOURABAYA Hill Approaching Darwin Kingsford Smith reached Singapore on the eighth day of his flight from England, breaking Hinkler’s record for the journey by five days. Hili, who got to Sourabaya in eleven days from England, hopped to Atamboea, and hqped to reach Darwin last night. By 'Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Singapore, October 10. Kingsford Smith, who arrived at 0.30 p.m. has left for Sourabaya. “I have had a rotten trip,” was how the airman described the first non-stop flight from Rangoon to Singapore in fourteen hours as he stepped from the ’plane at the naval base, amid cheers from the Air Force mechanics. He encountered heavy rain, head winds, and low clouds most of the way. and was compelled '•o fly at an altitude of a hundred feet at times. He hopes to reach Australia on Sunday. He leaves for Sourabaya at five to-morrow morning. HILL CALLS AT ATAMBOEA (Rec. October 17, 11.35 p.m.). Bima. October 17. Hill arrived, and left for Atamboea at 11.30 a.m. He is expected to fly to Australia to-night. THE LAST HOP Hill arrived at Atamboea yesterday afternoon, and was to leave again for Darwin. He expected to make a night landing, and hoped to reach Darwin at 10 o’clock last night [By Radio, per Mr. L M. Levy.] AIRMEN FLY TO DARWIN To Meet Trio From England (Rec. October 17, 9.45 p.m.). Sydney, October 17. The progress of Matthews's, Hill’s and Smith’s flights from England to Australia is causing considerable interest in Australia. A number of wellknown Australian aviators, including Ulm, Owen and Brian, have already flown to Darwin to welcome the speeding airmen, who are expected there during the week-end.

INTEREST IN LONDON

Value of the Flights

(Rec. October 17, 10.5 p.m.).

London, October 17.

The newspapers are giving prominence to Kingsford Smith’s flight, some predicting a neck-and-neck finish with Hill. The "Daily Telegraph” says: ’ lhe flight to Australia offers a most powerful appeal to the imagination. It is a most formidable feat in aerial navigation. It is the sternest test for both pilot and machine, but Hinkler’s flight will always remain unique, whether his record Is broken or otherwise Not only was lie his own mechanic, but In many stages there was practically no ground organisation. The Austra Ilan flight, unlike some tests, is highly useful, and much knowledge is being accumulated by the pioneers charting the strange regions in an endeavour to put a girdle round the earth.”

GARDEN FORCED DOWN

London, October 16.

The New Zealand aviator, Osear Garden, who left Croydon at 6 o’clock this morning for Australia, was forced down at Folkestone. lie will start again from Lympne to-morrow.

Hops Off Again from Lympne

(Rec. October 17,11.35 p.m.)

Lon'*''", October 17. Garden left Lympne at 6.17 this morning.