A QUIET SEND-OFF

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 53, 11 September 1928, Page 12

A QUIET SEND-OFF

"WEATHER GOOD ENOUGH" THE START FROM RICHMOND . United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, 10th September. After being delayed a week at Richmond awaiting favourable conditions over the Tasman Sea, the Southern Cross left at 5.30 on the long flight to New Zealand. The weather locally was perfect; with a light westerly breeze to help the huge 'plane along. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith remarked before mounting to the cockpit that the weather was "not so good," but it was good enough. Yesterday thousands of people visit-

:'The Post's" Special Photo Service.

Ed Richmond to see the start of the epoch-making flight, but this afternoon only a small knot of people were present, apart from Air Force men. The scene, however, was one of intense excitement. The crew of the Southern Cross, Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith, Flight-lieutenant Ulm, the navigator, Mr. H. A. Litchfield, and the wireless

operator, Mr. T. H. M'Williams, wet* on the ground early,, and the big 'plane was run out and the engines tuned up. As the level rays of the sun, setting like molten gold behind the purple Kurrajong heights, streamed across the aviation field, the airmen made their farewells to friends and took their places. Kingsford Smith's mother was among the last to speak to him, while Ulni's wife said farewell to him. When all was ready Kingsford Smith, at the controls, nodded to the waiting Air Force men, and the chocks were removed from the wheels. The propellers' roar increased, and the big craft moved off a little distance. Then will* ing hands lifted the tail of the fuselage to point her in the direction giving the longest run, and the machine began to taxi forward, with increasing speed, for about 300 yards, when it left the ground in a steady upward flight towards Eiehmond. Turning in a circle, the Southern Cross came back over the airdrome at a low altitude, and set off towards Sydney and the coast, those on the ground waving good-bye. The 'plane was in perfect shape. The course to be followed was via Cook Strait, and the 'plane was expected to reach Christchurch at about 1 o'clock (New Zealand time). The warship Anzac is patrolling the sea some distance out, and the Maheno, bound for Wellington, should be able to give useful wireless advice as to weather conditions, as well as aiding the navigator, Mr. Litehfield, to keep direction. Only limited supplies of food were taken, with water and hot drinks ia thermos flasks. Wreaths were carried to be dropped iat sea in memory of Hood and Moncrieff.' ' , The Southern Cross carried letters from Mr. Bruce to Mr. Coates, and from the Governor-General to Sir Charles Fergusson, Governor-General of New Zealand, and a limited number of others.