AVIATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 February 1927, Page 2

AVIATION

BLOWN TO PIECES. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn.) HELSINGFORS, February 24. A Finnish Army aeroplane, while at bomb-dropping practice at an altitude of 250 ft, was blown to pieces, and its two occupants were killed. A FRENCH TRAGEDY. PARIS, February 25. A message from Bizerta states that a big French seaplane mysteriously caught fire and crashed into the sea thirty miles from the coast. A gunboat, which rushed to the rescue, found an injured member of the crew clinging to the wing. Four of his colleagues were dead in the submerged cabin. CHRISTENING CEREMONY. LISBON, Feb. 25. There was a picturesque ceremony at the christening of the Argos aeroplane, in which Major Debeires and three others, are attempting to circumaviate the world.

Debeires’ little niece acting as godmother, carried a tray of a silver pennant and gold medals, stamped with the image of the Blessed Virgin, who under the title “Our Lady of the Air, is the patron saint of aviators. The bishop of Transanapolis blessed the aeroplane and medals which the aviators will wear. The godmother affixed the pennant on her godfather. Lieut. Arajo broke a bottle of champagne on the bows.