THE BIG CLIPPER PUNE

Evening Star, Issue 23353, 24 August 1939, Page 3

THE BIG CLIPPER PUNE

THE FLIGHT TO NEW ZEALAND FIRST SECTION COMPLETED TO-DAY LARGE GREW AND OFFICIAL OBSERVERS [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 23. On the first stage of her survey flight to New Zealand, the PanAmerican Boeing Clipper took off from San Francisco at 1 o’clock (New Zealand time) to-day. Leaving San Francisco in the late afternoon, the machine is covering the 2,440 miles to Honolulu as a night flight, and she is expected to complete the first section of tho journey at 4.30 a.in. to-morrow (New Zealand time)._ The flight is essentially a survey of the new route which extends from Honolulu via Canton Island and Noumea, to Auckland, and the tentative schedule which has been announced may be subject to alteration as the machine'proceeds across the Pacific. If tlie existing plans are maintained, however, the Clipper should arrive at Auckland next Tuesday afternoon. All is in readiness at the base for her landing, the ground organisation being practically complete. In addition to the crew of 11 winch is piloting tho Clipper on her maiden flight across the South Pacific, the machine carries a number of distinguished American Government and company officials as observers. Following advice by wireless of the Boeing’s departure, the New- Zealand representative of Pan-American Airw’ays, Mr Harold Gatty, received information of the personnel being carried to New Zealand. The crew of the Clipper is as follows Captain J. H. Tiltoii, commanding; Mr W. A. Clothe, first officer; Mr J. L. Fleming, second officer; Mr V. A. Wright, third officer; Mr B. E. Michael, fourth officer; Mr J. E. Prunty, first engineer; Mr J. W. Zeigler, second engineer; Mr J. C. Smyser, first radio officer; Mr A. L. Charman, second radio officer; Mr H. A. Laporto, first steward; Mr T. Aloffatt, second steward.

Other officials of tho Pan-American organisation who will be travelling as observers comprise Air J. C. Leslie, operations manager of the Pacific Division; Air Carl Lender, section operations superintendent, stationed at Honolulu; Air H. O. Gentry, communications section superintendent ; Air F. M. Hull, mechanic to be stationed at Auckland; Air R. AI. Stevens, junior flight engineer; Air F. M'Kenzie, airport engineer; Air W. S, Alexander, Pacific division navigation instructor. The official observers representing the various departments of the United States Government are as follows: General Arnold Krogstad, United States Army Air Corps; Commander L. C. Stevens, United States Navy; Lieutenant George Bowerman, United States Coastguard; Air Clinton Af. Hester, administrator of the .Civil Aeronautics Authority; Air E. L. Yuravich, chief of the foreign air lines inspection branch of the Civil Aeronautics Authority. Five members of the Clipper’s personnel have previously been to Auckland. ‘ Air AlTCenzie superintended the construction of the company’s base at Afecbanic’s Bay, while Mr Charman was stationed for a time at the PanAmerican radio station at St. Heliers Bay. Mr Wright and Air Alexander came to New- Zealand on the Samoan Clipper’s flight, on which Mr Yuravich was. also carried as representative of the Civil Aeronautics Authority.