TASMAN FLIERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 October 1928, Page 5

TASMAN FLIERS

DAY-TRIP TO CHRISTCHURCH

MORE EQUIPMENT WANTED

(Press Association.)

BLENHEIM, October 3.

Capt. Buckley and Capt. Findlay, with Smith and Ulm and Mr. Palmer of Christchurch, as passengers, left for Christchurch in a Bristol and D.H. 50 at 9.30. They expect to return to-day.

CHRISTCHURCH, October 3. Tlie airmen arrived from Blenheim at 11.30, and will return later. Christchurch was taken altogether by surprise this morning when Kingsford Smith and Ulm returned from Blenheim in two of the machines from Sockburn Aerodrome. The visit was unofficial. • Smith stated on landing that he intended leaving for Blenheim again at 2.30 p.m. Ulm was not certain ot his movements. In the event of his staying in the city to-night, he will leave for Blenheim not latei than to morrow afternoon. The purpose of ■the visit to Christchurch was to obtain some equipment for the Southern Cross. TESTS AT BLENHEIM. BLENHEIM, October 2. Smith, Ulm, Findlay and Buckley made a fishing foursome in the Sounds to-day. They had good sport, and returned to Blenheim. They met Air Marshal Sir John Salmond, Squadron Leader Drummond and Major Wilkes on their arrival. ’ , - „ The latter party were informally welcomed by the Mayor and officials of the Aero Club, and later proceeded to the Southern Cross aerodrome, where exhaustive tests were carried out by Smith and Ulm of a big searchlight, with which it is proposed to enable the Southern Cross to get away a couple of hours before dawn, when Dr. Kidson gives the word. If the weather is clear at dawn tomorrow, the Southern Gross will make a test flight, in order to enable Navigator Litchfield to take solar observations in connection with the compasses. Sir John Salmond will take Ulm’s place in the cockpit with Smith. On the present weather outlook, it Is more than likely that the flyers will inot get away before Friday. To-morow Sir John Salmond inspects the Blenheim aerodrome and the Southern Cross field. Later he will motor to Nelson ,to catch the boat for Wellington.

THRILLS AND STUNTS.

BLENHEIM, October 3.

The Southern Cross made a test flight over Blenheim. Sir John Salmond was in control, with Smith at the second joy-stick. The machine gave a thrilling exhibition over the town, diving and wheeling almost on the roofs.

Also aboard were Major Wilkes, Litchfield, H. R. Dix' (president of the Aero Club), and C. A. MacDonald (secretary). Smith was very pleased with the tests, and complimented Sir J- Salmond on his efficiency, although he had not flown a ’plane since 1920. During t/he flight, the Southern Cross was placed on the course for Sydney, while Litchfield took azimuth observations, with the object of correcting the compasses.

ZEPPELIN’S FLIGHT.

EX-KAISER CHEERS

(Recd. Oct. 3,2 p.m.) LONDON, October 2.

The Graf Zeppelin following a tortuous course from Friedrich shaven, which was frequently altered owing to gales and head winds, passed over Lowestoft at nine to-night. It left the hangar at seven this morning. Seventy are aboard, including twenty passengers, to whom a four-course dinner was served at the cost of 4s.

The airship was a splendid sight, with glowing lights. It was the original intention to cruise to Stockholm, but this had to be abandoned owing to the weather. Ihstead, the airship crossed to England, over which it cruised during the night. It will fly back to Hamburg and Berlin to-mor-row.

At the outset of the journey it battled with gales, and the course was altered towards Berlin, thence a detension was ■ made at Frankfurt. It passed over Doorn, where the exKaiser and his family were outdoors and cheered it. It sighted Amsterdam at seven-

The people of Berlin are excitedly following the flight, and a gramophone record played aboard was relayed to Germany. It was at first believed that the airship would moor at C(irdington mast, but the authorities announced that no arrangements had been made with the landing staff.