COMPLETE PLANS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 150, 29 June 1929, Page 9

COMPLETE PLANS

STATEMENT BY ULM

FLIGHT MAINLY AT NIGHT

"We are out to reach London as quickly as possible, and we will get through this time," remarked FlightLieutenant Ulm when final preparations

for the present Jong flight of the Southorn Cross had been completed, and, according to latest reports from the 'plane tliat stage of the flight regarded as the worst has been covered by the airmen, for the rest the long stretches of flight will bo overland. According to the schedule which has been mapped out, the crew of the Southern Cross hope to cover the journey from Derby to London in eleven days. The distance of the first stage of the flight, from Derby to Singapore, is 2020 miles, and the route which the airmen intended to follow was from Derby to the Straits of Sunda, between Java and Sumatra, through the Straits, and then over the shipping route to Singapore. This would enable the airmen to avoid passing over the high mountain peaks. Thioughout the journey, the riyers are intending to make the landing places in daylight and to take off in the' evening, so as to eliminate risk in landing on strange aerodromes. From Singapore, according to the schedule, the Southern Cross is to go to Rangoon, arriving there to-morrow. Allahabad will be the next landing place, and from there the airmen are to make £or Karachi, where they propose to give the machine a good overhaul, possibly remaining theru for a couple of days. Should this plan be followed, and other intentions hold good, the Southern Cross will be at Karachi on Tuesday, at Bagdad on the sth July, at Borne on the Yth July, and at London on the'Bth July. It was reported before the airmen started out that ample provision had been made for sustenance in the event of a forced landing. Two copper containers of emergency rations were being taken, and in these were malted miik tablets, sugar, chocolate, meat extract cubes, tea, and biscuits. In addition there was water, coffee, and sandwiches. A shotgun, two revolvers, and ammunition, as well as a hatchet, were also carried. Apart from the permanent wireless set, the airmen have an emergency set, capable of transmitting from the ground. The main receiving set will enable the flyers to receive on the ground on a full range wave length of from 19 to 80 metres. Maps, charts, and sketches of all aerodromes en route are part of tho equipment. It was also intended to take six; Holmes lifebelt flares to,check the drift while crossing the ocean, these to be thrown overboard at night for Litchfleld to. take drift sights to check up the course. In the event of the machine getting into difficulties, the flares would be used to attempt to attract the attention of vessels. ' Before leaving for Derby, Kingsford Smith and Ulm had consultations wit) Moir and Owen, who gave them valuable data on the various stopping places. Moil- and Owen recently flew from England to Australia.