FINISH AT FLEMINGTON

Evening Post, Issue 99, 24 October 1934, Page 9

FINISH AT FLEMINGTON

FLYERS ACCLAIMED

ENTHUSIASM IN HEAVY RAIN

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE, October 23. Boforo tho gaze of a great crowd C. W. A. Scott and T. Campbell Black crossed the finishing line on Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, in thoir red de Havilland Comet, and claimed for Britain tho & 10,000 prize in tho MacRobertson Air Race. The great race finished in torrential rain, at 3.24 p.m. (5.24 p.m. Now Zealand time), Mr. Scott's time for the MildcnhaU-Mel-bourne journey being 70 hours 54 minutes, or 1 hour 6 minutes less than three days. After passing the finishing line the aeroplane went on to land at the R.A.A.F. depot at Laverton. Ono hundred and fifty thousand people gathered at Flemington to witness the finish of the race, despite the ominous clouds of an approaching thunderstorm. Early in the afternoon heavy rain fell, but tho crowd continued to increase. Eyes searched the tky to see the winner of the greatest aerial event in history. Packed trains, trams, and motors streamed from the city. Air Force machines iv mass formation circled tho racecourse. As the Comet swept into viow, swooped down and crossed tho broad calico lino of tho finishing mark the crowd burst into cheers. The Comot rose, circled again, then swept away towards the landing ground at Laverton 10 miles away. A stilled and expectant crowd awaited the return of the special aeroplanes bringing the aviators. A vast crowd also awaited the aviators at Laverton and cheered the Viking-bearded Scott as he stepped from the machine. After refreshments and a welcome by many people, including Miss Jean Batten, Scott aud Black forced a way through the crowd, and entered the Moths to return to Flemington for the official greetings, SCOTT'S IMPRESSION. Interviewed, Scott said:— tsA dreadful trip. That's praising it. Neither of us had a wink of sleep. We had to be on the job all the time. We were feeling done in on the run down, but aro better noiv we are here. We thank the people for the marvellous welcomes on our progress through Australia. We are jolly glad wo have arrived. We received the scare of our lives when the port engine stopped, and prepared our lifebelts. The last two and a half hours to Parwin wero a nightmare. Had the two engines kept going tho race, would have been mine earlier." On a dais draped with the Union Jack, Australian, America, and Dutch flags, the airmen were welcomed by Lord Huntingfield (Governor), tho Lord Mayor, and Sir Macpherson Robortson. Suffering from the utmost exhaustion, they were hurried after the reception to a city hotel, determined to make up for lost sleep. Among those welcoming them was Mr. A. O. Edwards, owner of Scott's. Comet. "They appealed to mo as "great aviators," said Mr. Edwards. "I did not want someone who would brag, but who would do tho job. These boys have certainly done it." LEAVING CHAELEVILLE. At Charleville when tho aeroplane was overhauled by mechanics for tho last stage to Melbourne, it was found that a sticking exhaust valvo on the port engine was causing the trouble. Tho defect was rectified and a test was made. Tho troublesome ongiuo appeared to bo running correctly, and at 10.50 a.m. Scott climbed into the cockpit and taxied across the aerodrome. He appeared to be making a good takeoff, but, half-way across, tho motors wero slowed and the Comet came to a stop. Scott climbed out and very carefully inspected the retractable undercarriage. Returning to the cockpit, he took off perfectly and was. out of sight in two minutes.