KINGSFORD SMITH

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 16, 13 October 1933, Page 9

KINGSFORD SMITH

World’s Foremost Airman

THE RECORD FLIGHT

Great Personal Triumph

WIDESPREAD TRIBUTES

(British Official Wireless.)

Rugby, October 11.

News of Air-Commodore Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s great achievement in completing the flight from England to Wyndham, Western Australia, in the record time of 7 days 4 hours 44 minutes was immediately telephoned to Sandringham, where the King, who takes the keenest interest, in aviation developments, is in residence.

The Marquess of Londonderry, Secretary for Air, cabled: “On behalf of the Air Council I send you the warmest congratulations on your magnificent flight.” The Royal Aero Club also cabled congratulations to Sir Charles, and Mr. C. W. A. Scott, who uas throughout expressed confidence that his record of 8-davs 20 hours 47 minutes would be broken by his rival, said: “I could wish for no finer .Irman to take the record from me. Of course, I shall have another go at regaining it.

LEAVES WYNDHAM

Brisbane on Saturday

SYDNEY ON SUNDAY

(Received October 12, 10.15 p.m.) Sydney, October 12. A message from Wyndham states that Sir Charles Kingsford Smith left at S 7 a.m., local time. He expects to reach Brisbane on Saturday, Sydney on Sunday, and Melbourne next Monday. The nervous exhaustion from which he was suffering in the early stages of the trip has completely disappeared. Officials of the Wyndham meat works entertained him last night. Sir Charles, In the course of a speech, declared that Wyndham has outstanding claims as the first port of entry for aeroplanes from overseas, as it is 100 miles closer and there is 300 miles less water to cover than the Darwin route. He added that his record is bound to be shattered by competitors in the Centenary air race, but he thought the machine which beat th'e record would be definitely out of the light plane class. The Prime Minister has received his Majesty’s congratulations for Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.

LANDS AT CAMOOWEAL

(Received October 13, 1.45 a.m.) Sydney, October 12. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith landed at Camooweal at 6.15 this evening, instead of at Charleville, owing to head winds. He leaves for Brisbane, 1400 miles distant, tomorrow. ADVISED TO HURRY New Record-breaking Terminal Sydney, October 12. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith has been urged to make the best possible time to Sydney. It was pointed out that the Federation Aeronautique Internationale had recently adopted a number of routes which it would recognise for record-breaking purposes, and had indicated that in the case of flights from England to Australia the London-Sydney route only would be recognised. Interviewed at Wyndham, Sir Charles said that he felt run-down and was a “bundle of nerves.” He felt very ill over the first stage from England.

The morning papers arc loud in praises of Kingsford Smith’s achievement. The Prime Minister said: “I am never surprised at anything he does, for, I have no hesitation in saying that I regard him as the greatest airman in the world.”

OUTSTANDING EVENT

British Congratulations

London, October 11.

Lord Wakefield expressed his warmest congratulations to one of the Empire’s pioneer airmen. “This,” he said, “is an outstanding event in the history of aviation, and a great personal triumph for Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.” Lord Wakefield, Air-Commodore Chamier, and Lieutenant-Colonel Moore-Brabazon all agree that Sir Charles’s record further proves that he is the world’s number one pilot. The Master of Sempill says that the flight is one of the most magnificent feats yet seen. suite what one expected from Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.

Mr. J. H. Thomas says: “Hearty congratulations to Sir Charles upon another Empire triumph.” “The Star” says that Kingsford Smith himself has provided the best confirmation of Colonel Lindbergh s opinion that he is the world's leading airman.

MR. SCOTT’S PLANS

Attack on the Record

London, October 11

.Mr. C. W. A. Scott said that he was immediately commencing preparations to regain tiie record. “I am delighted,’ he said, “that my friend Sir Charles Kingsford Smith has beaten me, but tell him from mo that I’m going to try to beat him, though his wonderful performance makes the job hard. It is fitting that the record should he established by an Australian who is also the world’s finest flyer. “I intend to try for a new record in March or April and aim at reaching Australia in 6i days, which seems the utmost possible with aeroplanes so far built."

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