IRISH AIRMEN START

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 68, 17 September 1927, Page 9

IRISH AIRMEN START

DUBLIN TO NEW YORK

CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS

(United Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received I7th September, 0 a.m.) LONDON, 16th September.

Captain M'lntosh, accompanied by Commandant Fitzmaurice, of the Irisn Tree State Air Force, took off at Ealdonnal for America at 1.34 p.m., in cold, windy, overcast weather.

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, 16th September. Captain M'lntosh and Commandant Fitzmauriee started on a trans-Atlan-tic flight at half-past one this afternoon from Baldonnal aerodrome, Dublin. Despite recent disasters to Atlantic flyers they have been waiting at Baldonnal for eleven days, determined to start as soon as better conditions were reported over the Atlantic. Their aeroplane, the " Princess Xenia," is a Pokker monoplane. It has no wireless apparatus, but carries a rubber boat with two paddles. The machine is capable of carrying 701 gallons of petrol, and can stay in the air for 41 -iiour3. It has a range of 3977 miles. It is fitted with a Bristol Jupiter engine of 510 maximum horsepower, and has a speed of 125 miles per hour. Captain M'lntosh has had great experience as a flyer, having crossed the English Channel more times than any other pilot. He recently completed eight years' service on the LondonParis route. His companion, Commandant Fitzmaurice, is the officer in command of the Irish Free State Air Force.

Discussing his chances of success the other day, Captain M'lntosh said: "We shall not be fpolhardy. The whole of the flight which we propose to make has been properly organised. Our machine will definitely do the range. We have full confidence in our engine, and personally, I have the fullest confidence in my own abilities in conjunction with Commandant Fitzmaurice. Although we believe there is a certain amount of risk, we have endeavoured to reduce it to a minimum.''

Before starting the flight to-day, M'lntosh said that he expected toreach New York in 26 hours.