New Zealand Air Knights Hop Off

Evening Star, Issue 19760, 10 January 1928, Page 5

New Zealand Air Knights Hop Off

Plane Sighted by the Maunganui

Confident of Success

Progress Reports from Mid=ocean

"We expect to be with you in Wellington to-night.”

The New Zealand aviators, Lieutenant Moncrieff and Captain Hood, hopped off on the trans-Tasman air flight Sydney to Wellington at 2.44 a.m. to-day in excellent heart, as the above message to their wives indicates. They were sighted by the Maunganui (approaching Sydney) forty-five minutes later, and the ’plane was then travelling at 110 miles an hour.

Progress reports sent by automatic wireless signal indicate that up to 11.45 a.m. the ’plane was going well.

The earlier reckoning was that, leaving at 2 a.m. the airmen v/ould make Wellington by 6 p.m.

It was actually 5.14 New Zealand time that the ’plane cleared Richmond aerodrome, so that it will be nearer 9 p.m. than 6 p.m. bsfore, all being well, the flight is accomplished.

THE “TAKE-OFF”

FIT AND IN GOOD SPIRITS FAVORABLE WEATHER Press Association -By Telegraph —Copyright. SYDNEY, January 10. (Received January 10, at 9.45 a.m.) The aviators hopped off lor New Zealand at 2.44 a.m. When the engine was started up at 2 o’clock this morning it was found that an oversnpply of lubricating oil had been pumped into the containers, the overflow chok'ng sumo vital points of the machine, 'the trouble was soon remedied, and at 2.40 Moncriclf and Hood took their places in the machine. Moncrieff' as the pilot gave the order to start. The chocks were pulled from the wheels, the piopellor revolved, and at 2.44, with the engine revolving at cruising speed, the pilot waved his hand as the signal lor departure. The “ all clear ” was given, and the monoplane taxied into the open space of the aerodrome, and within 100yds had risen, turned direct for New Zealand, and within a few minutes was lost to s'ght. Sound tests before leaving showed that the wireless was in proper working order. Mood and .Moncriclf expressed themselves absolutely physically lit and m good spirits. They said that they v.crc ready to undertake the journey cheerfully and confidently. .Messages were sent to the airmen’s wives stating that they expected to be with them in Wellington to-night. The State Meteorologist was the nerodrome with a specially-prepared veathcr report, which said that as tar is ho could make out the weather was

particularly favorable.' Weather reports were received from New Zealand by wireless till 0.50 this morning, also from ships at sea-.