OVER THE TASMAN

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 85, 13 April 1929, Page 7

OVER THE TASMAN

TO NEW ZEALAND AND 1 BACK

BATTLES WITH THE WIND

Not content to rest on his laurels, and determined to demonstrate further the safety and feasibility of ocean flying, Kingsford Smith turned his attention, towards crossing tho Tasman, the only big stretch'of water remaining to be conquered. He promised to fly from. Australia _to New Zealand and ' back

before venturing upon any further long ilight round the world, as was then projected. Although Hood and MoncriefC had failed, ho was confident of success, and subsequent events proved that ho was right.

By the end of August the .Southern Cross had been thoroughly overhauled, and all w.as ready for the start of the trans-Tasman ilight. But the flyers were taking no unnecessary risks; they: refused to start until it was reasonable to suppose that the weather would bo favourable,.well knowing that meteorological conditions over the Tasmaii when bad are very bad. Day after day the trip was postponed, owing to adverse weather reports, until at last, at 5.30 p.m. on 10th September, Kingsford Smith climbed into the cockpit of the Southern Cross with the remark that tho weather, "although not so good, was good enough," and away went tho 'plane from' Richmond. Throughout the night it flew through storms of wind, lightning, and rain. But the unfavourable elements were conquered, although tho airmen were wet through and suffered from the cold, and, what is more, the Southern Cross made iis fastest journey., At times the speed .was as much as 100 miles per hour,"'the assisting wind enabling the whole journey to be accomplished at astonishing speed. The longer route, .via Cook Strait and Wellington, was taken, bufeven then nearly three hours were cut off the estimated time, the landing being made-at Sockburn, just outside Christchureii, at 9.22; a.m. the morning after the departure from Sydney, the flying time being 14 hours 12 minutes.

Enthusiasm was unbounded when it was known that the Southern Cross had got safely across, Wellington having the first thrill when shortly after 7 a.m. quite unexpectedly the. Southern Cross appeared before speeding southward. Its early arrival had not been expected, the breaking down of the wireless on the 'piano owing to .the lightning storms having prevented progress reports being sent. New, Zealand had additional interest in this flight,: one of her own sons, Mr. T. H." M' Williams, of Wellington, being on the 'piano as wireless operator. Messrs. Lyon and Warner, who had made the Pacific flight with Kiugsf ord Smith and Ulm, had returned to America, their places being taken by Mi\ H. A. Litchfield, of' Sydney, who acted as navigator, and Mr. M'Williams. ; .. .

The Southern Cross, when she .landed, boro evidence of the rough weather she had encountered. Some idea of the stress and strain of the revolving at a high rate for over 14 hours could bo' gained from- a. look at the propcllors. The leading edges were worn off completely, being rough and ragged'in- ' stead of smooth and sharp. Each edge showed white against the oak colour of the remainder of the propellors, showing the cotton material which is tho. basis of the micarta, of, which the "props" were'made. The wings also showed the effects of tho storm at the centre of tho leading edge. All the paint had disappeared, having been scraped off byjthe ice and sleet with which the machine came into contact. It.is estimated, that at.one stage-there was a toil of sleet and ice on ,top of the wings. ,_ ; The arrival of the Southern Cross in New. Zealand undoubtedly gave, a tremendous impulse to aviation in tho Do-' .minion, the presence of the 'plane in tho South Island and; of tho airmen in tho various centre's, stimulating, interest which up to that time 'had been rather flagging. The fruits of' that visit are now being seen in the formation of flying clubs. THE RETUBN' JOURNEY. Of courso everyone in New Zealand wanted to, see the.four airmen and tho: Southern Cross, who between them had made so much flying history, but it was deemed impracticable for tho,- giant 'plane to fly to tho various New-Zea-land centres,, and a tour was made in. Air Eorco .machines. They Southern Cross, meanwhile, was- flown to Blenheim, ready for the return journey across the Tasrnan. ' ;

Early in the morning on 13th October the Southern Cross, with the same' four airmen on board, took off from Blenheim. Head winds retarded the 'plane, but the Southern Cross and hercrew, well used to storms, forged ahead. So adverse were the conditions that the return journey took 23 hours, /nearly nine hours longer than the crossing of. the Tasman from west to east. , .-This time the radio gear functioned perfectly, and the 'plane's progress could be' followed throughout, those trying hours.

To most people it might have seehied that the Southern' Cross had done enough, and that she and her crew might rest on their laurels. But.Kingsford Smith was not built that way, and not long after the completion of the Tasman flights preparations wero in hand for flying the Southern Cross from Australia to': England. It was on the first stage of this flight that disaster, if disaster, it can bo called, toefcll.