COMET READY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 104, 27 January 1938, Page 9

COMET READY

New Zealander’s Bid For Record OVERHAUL OF PLANE Two New Propellers Fitted “Dominion" Special Service—By Air Mail. London, January 8. Confidence in both the man and the machine is expressed by those closely associated with the arrangements for the record-attempting flight to New Zealand and back to England by Flying Officer A. E. Clouston in the Comet. Mr. R. J. Cross, who controls a dozen young engineers of Essex Aero, Limited, and who prepared the Comet for its record return flight to the Cape, has been overhauling the machine’s engines at Gravesend. “I have seen the Comet handled by five pilots,” Mr. Cross said, "but Clouston is easily the best. lam most confident that he will get there and back iu record time.” 'The Comet has been fitted with two American-type controllable-pitch propellers, as otherwise the low-powered taper-winged races would be unable to take off with a heavy load of petrol. Previously the Comet was fitted only with fixed metal propellers. Even with variable-pitch air-screws, which increases considerably the power of thrust, obtainable for the take-off, it will be’ most difficult for the Comet to take off in hot airs, which have little lift. Therefore, Flying Officer Clouston is working out a schedule, which will enable him to land and take off in the cool of the evening and early in the morning while in the tropics.. The provisional plan of Flying Officer Clouston is to cruise at a speed of 200 miles an hour at. a height of 10,000 feet, but he will probably fly at 12,000 feet over Europe to dodge the mountains in the south-east. Reporter As Co-Pilot. Flying Officer Clouston will be accompanied by Mr. V. A. Ricketts, air correspondent of the “Daily Express, who will act as co-pilot and will send exclusive descriptions of the flight to newspapers. Mr. Cross is rearranging the seat which Mr. Ricketts will occupy so that there will be room for the typewriter on which Mr. Ricketts will tap out the log of the flight. Mr. Ricketts will be “tailored” for his seat in the plane, so that room can be found to enable him to use his typewriter, and at the same time not interfere with his use of the dual controls. He will have to type with his arms considerably above the normal typeist’s level. Space for the typewriter and vacuum flasks for coffee has taken up every inch of room, and Mr., Ricketts will practically have to be “poured” into his seat. “SEEING YOU SOON” Aerodrome Plans Reach London Plans of the Motueka aerodrome, which were sent to Flying Officer A. E. Clouston by the Motueka Borough Council recently, arrived at London yesterday, and though no date has been announced for the New Zealander’s flight to his homeland, which is to begin early next month, his parents at Neudorf, near Motueka, daily expect to hear from him. In a telephone interview with “The Dominion” last night, Mr. R. E. Clouston said that the last he heard from his son was early this week. A letter was received from Flying Officer Clouston from St Moritz dated December 19. It read: “It is over a month ago since our record to the Cape and back, and still I haven’t caught up with the congratulations which continue to pour in. I have had invitations to everything going in London for the next month, but have refused every single thing, as it is too hard on one’s health. “We arrived to-day after crossing Julia Pass at 7000 ft. 'There was snowdrift everywhere, and it was only passable in bottom gear. The car stuck it out well. We are off back home on Christmas Day via Germany, Belgium and France. I’ll be seeing you all very soon.” Flying Officer Clouston married Miss Elsie Turner soon after bis Cape flight and they spent their honeymoon in Switzerland.