THE BELLANCA OUT

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 96, 20 October 1934, Page 10

THE BELLANCA OUT

DKASTIC LOAD CUT

SENSATION OVER FITZ-

MAURICE

(Received October 20, 2.30 p.m.)

LONDON, October 19.

. There was a sensational development ]ate tonight when the committee announced that it had refused to allow the Bellanca to compete with its full all-up weight, namely of 80001b, and that the machine would only be permitted to fly with 54001b. It appears that the committee objected to Colonel J. C. Fitzmaurice carrying a full load on the American Government's air-worthi-ness certificate granted for 54001b full weight. Colonel Fitzmaurico was also granted an American restricted certificate for 80001b full pay-load. The committee had previously discussed the position in secret for two hours, after which a cable was sent to the American Government asking whether it was prepared to authorise the aeroplane to fly at a higher limit. The American Government replied that it could not issue such a certificate. The committee then explained that it must abide by the regulations, requiring competitors to produce a certificate of airworthiness for a full load. Colonel Fitzmaurice has protested against the decision of the stewards. Colonel Fitzmauriee and Erie Bonar, his co-pilot, and members of the Irish Hospitals Trust later discussed the position. Colonel Fitzmaurice points out that if he has to cut down his petrol to meet the embargo it will reduce his Tange from 3300 miles to at the most 1500 miles, completely upsetting his arrange-i ments to reach Bagdad non-stop. If the committee adheres to its decision it means that Colonel Fitzmauvieo must decide between withdrawal from the race or flying with a small load. DECISION TO WITHDRAW. The stewards dismissed Colonel Fitzmaurice's appeal, and he announced his withdrawal from the race. 1 It is strongly rumoured that Colonel Fitzmaurice may fly to Australia tomorrow with a' full load, to demonstrate what his machine can do. Even American critics admit that Colonel Fitzmaurico has no reason to expect to bo allowed to raco under a special certificate of airworthiness when other competitors of all nationalities have had their loads drastically reduced. There is bound to be the greatest dissatisfaction with the interpretation of the I.C.A.N. requirements as to' wing loading, for the range of machines,, duo to the restriction of petrol and oil, has been greatly reduced in many cases. There is little doubt that several of the leading racers withdrew their entries because of this limitation, and Kingsford Smith was very sore about It. Wiley Post could never have carried out his plan under the wing loading limitation, and Woods and Bennett, who are flying a similar machine, a Lockheed Vega, have given up hopes of a, place in the speed race through limitation of range.

The Bellanca Corporation claimed for Fitzmaurice's "Irish Swoop" a maximum speed of 255 m.p.h., a cruising speed of 235 m.p.h., and a range of 3000 miles, but tho wing loading rule has reduced that last figure most drastically.