OFF BEFORE DAWN
Another step has been taken in the development of the Empire air service. In the light of "flares" placed on the water to mark the course, two giant Imperial Airways flying-boats, the Canopus and the Corinthian, took oif at Southampton Water before dawn. The Canopus left for Sydney and the Corinthian for Durban. They were ehe first Empire airliners to start their journeys before daybreak. Their pilots were guided by a line of "flares" 200 yards apart. Each "flare" pointing into the wind to mark the takeoff area. It consisted of two electric bulbs placed on top of a slender mast projecting from a float. The floats contain 12-volt batteries for feeding the 18-watt bulbs, whicn give an am- , ber light to distinguish them from shipping navigation lights. A motorlaunch is stationed at each end of the line of "flares," which remain in position until the possibility of an aircraft returning has passed. Then they are hauled into the launches and taken away until they are needed again. The; "flare" path can be easily placed in position for an emergency landing at night.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19381027.2.152
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 102, 27 October 1938, Page 20
Word Count
186OFF BEFORE DAWN Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 102, 27 October 1938, Page 20
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