TASMAN FLIERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 October 1928, Page 5

TASMAN FLIERS

WEATHER DELAYS START BLENHEIM INCIDENTS (Press Association.) BLENHEIM, September 30. Up to a late hour on Saturday afternoon, the people were on the qui vive, following an announcement that the Southern Cross would hop off back across the Tasman sea at 4.45 o’clock on Sunday morning. A very large crowd was gathered in Blenheim from all parts of the Dominion, and all day on Saturday and to-day a ceaseless stream of people found their way to the aerodrome, where the big monoplane was housed. Tucked under the wing is a Bristol fighter plane. They are like an old hen and its chick.

The camera fiends were busy, and, under the very fine arrangements made by the Aero Club Officials, close-up views could be had of the big machine without any danger of interference.

In the afternoon of Saturday, Smith and Ulm made a final overhaul of the Southern Cross, and replaced propellers. The tanks were filled, and everything was in readiness for the great adventure. Later in the afternoon, the weather report was pessimistic, and, on its being amplified later, Ulm announced officially that owing to a bad weather outlook in the Tasman Sea, the flight, as scheduled, would not take place. This proved a great disappointment'to the crowds of Visitors.

To-day’s weather report gave no better promise, and the fliers therefore announced there was no prospect of their leaving on Monday morning. However, the plane is ready, and the men are ready to hop off when Dr. Kidson “fires the pistol.” During the week-end Smith and Ulm were presented each with a Maori mat by the Marlborough Maoris.: The Aero Club gave each of the four fliers an inscribed gold cigarette case. Mr. George Edwards, of Auckland, and at one time of Blenheim, sent a fine floor rug, made by himself,, for the floor of the monoplane’s cabin, the central design being a kiwi, symbolic of the Dominion Aero Clubs.

Miss Smith, furrier, of Wellington, sent each flier a fur waistcoat to keep them warm on the trip back. Mr H. Lloyd, of Wellington, sent four greenstone tikis. Messrs Fairhall Brothers, the owners of the flying field, presented an enlarged photograph of the field in harvest time to the fliers. NOT UNTIL THURSDAY. BLENHEIM, October 1. From weather reports received by the fliers at mid-day, there is little likelihood of the Southern Cross departing before Thursday. Ulm, accompanied by Buckley, flew low over Blenheim at mid-day in a Bristol. On returning to the aerodrome, he carried out the spin loop and other acrobatics.

SIR J. SALMOND’S TOUR.

CHRISTCHURCH, September 29.

With Sir John Salmond as passenger Captain Findlay flew to Timaru in the “DH 50” plane this morning. He left at 8.50 p.m., and was back in Christchurch at 11.30. Sir John Salmond went on to Dunedin by train from Timaru.

AUSTRALIAN SEARCHLIGHTS.

SYDNEY, September 29.

Captain Chateau is co-operating with the naval and military authorities for use of searchlights at Sydney, Newcastle, and Jervis Bay, as a guide for the Tasmgn flyers. A code will be arranged to indicate to the flyers which light thej r sight. The Minister of Defence has given instructions that every possible cooperation should be given. Special arrangements have already been made for flood lights at Richmond.

ZEPPELIN FLIGHT

BERLIN, September 28

The giant airship Graf Zeppelin made a brilliant all-day circumnavigation journey over Bavaria. The guests included Flight Lieut. Booth, the hero of the R3B breakaway in 1925, and also a New Zealander, Mr Clarence Paa.

BRITISH CASUALTIES.

LONDON, September 28

During the year 1927, the British Royal Air Force fatalities totalled 52, out of 133 casualties, as compared with 78 fatalities and 179 casualties in 1926. The present casualty list is the lowest recorded. \ The Imperial Airways machines from 1925 to 1927 flew 2,400,000 miles, and caried 54,000 passengers with not one serious accident.

ITALIANS KILLED

PARIS, September 30.

The Italian naval seaplane returning from a search for the Italia’s crew in the Arctic, encountered a storm, whilst flying south of the Rhone near Valence. The machine struck the high, tension electric cables and fell into the river. The rear cabin floated, and two mechanics were rescued slightly injured. The cockpit sank, and two officers and a Non-Com. are dead, either drowned or electrocuted.

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.

GISBORNE, October 1.

A wireless broadcast from Moscow stated that an extraordinary aeroplane accident was reported from Terms, near the Afghan border. Two passenger planes left Terms field simultaneously and flew at different altitudes. The higher plane suddenly hit an air pocket and dropped right on top of the lower machine. Despite the shock, the pilots of both planes managed to regain control and succeeded landing without injury to the passengers or serious damage to the planes.