WORLD FLIGHT PROPOSED

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 March 1937, Page 7

WORLD FLIGHT PROPOSED

BY MRS. EARHART PUTNAM NAVAL PATROL ON ROUTE [BY CABI.F. —PRESS ASSN. COPYRIGHT.] CALIFORNIA, March 13. Government ships stationed at midPacific islands made hurried preparations after Mrs. Amelia Earhart Putnam had announced that 1 she would start on a world flight at 5 p.m. on Sunday or Monday, weather permitting. The forecast states'*that ah uncertain depression area persists over the 2,400-mile stretch to Honolulu, which might develop into a storm. The coastguard cutter Shoshone is en route to the Howland Islands, Mrs. Earhart Putnam’s second stop. The mine-sweeper Whippoorwill is steaming for a position between Honolulu and Howland. The United States Navy tug, Ontario, is en route for a spot between Howland and Lae, New Guinea. These three vessels have been ordered to stand watch along the route.

The Government is informed that a runway has been completed at Howland, eliminating a potential cause of delay. Mrs. Putnam has decided to take a. supply of, “slacks,” blouses and boots, ’but Tio dresses. ’ She said that when she flew the Atlantic all she took was a toothbrush, but she realised that now a change of clothing was essential. TO START FROM ’FRISCO / • (Recd. March 15, 8.30 a.m.) OAKLAND, March 14. Changes are announced in the Earliart Putnam plans. She will start from Mills Field, San Francisco, due to the wetness of Oakland field. .

The personnel has been increased to include Paul Mantz, her technical adviser, for Honolulu, and Fred Noonan, a former Pan-American navigation instructor, for Howland. Both will act as relief pilots and navigators, in order to conserve her own and Manning’s energy for the last phases of the flight. Fuel consumption tests revealed that only 900 gallons of petrol, instead of 1150 gallons, was necessary, hence a weight saving of 1500 pounds, without losing the 40 per cent, safety factor. Thus, she is able to take the extra crew. TRANS PACIFIC FLIGHT. AUCKLAND, March 14. « Active preparations are already being made in Auckland for the test fight of .the Pan-American Airways flying-boat from San Francisco to Auckland. Messrs W. T.. Jarboe, radio technician, and A. Francis, meteorologist, two of the company’s experts, have arrived in the city, and the first work, the preparing of moorings in the harbour and the erection of a radio station, which will guide the flight over the last stages, has been begun.

As yet no definite advice has been received as to when the flight will begin, but advice has been sent' to the company’s headquarters that .the-New Zealand end will be ready at any time.

It was .stated that even if the flight began on Monday, the moorings and other gear could be in operation in time to receive the flying-boat.

SYDNEY, March 15. “It is an advantage to Australia, in view of its distance from other great centres of population, to have as many air-lines coming here as possible,” said the Minister of Defence (Sir A. Parkhill), in commenting on the inauguration of the experimental service from America to New Zealand. MOLLISONS AND MATRIMONY LONDON, March 13. James Mollison told the “Daily Telegraph” last night that his wife, Mrs. Amy Johnson Mollison, intended to start divorce proceedings against him. A message from Paris says: Mrs. Amy Mollison declared: “I haven’t started divorce proceedings. I can’t imagine why this idea has started up again.” LONDON, March 14. Amy Mollison later authorised the following statement: “It is true that 1 am seeking a divorce. I am anxious to live and fly in the name of Amy Johnson. 1 have many plans for distance flights and records.” NEW YORK-PARIS RACE ROME, March 13. Bruno Mussolini, the second son of the Dictator, has entered for the New York-Paris air race in August. “FLYING TRAPEZE.” BERLIN, March 12. The .German flying “ace,” Ernst Udet, has successfully carried out experiments in alighting by a trapeze suspended from the Zeppelin Hindenburg while in flight. It is officially announced that the method will be used to take on and discharge passengers and mails, obviating the airship alighting during the voyage. PARACHUTIST’S MISHAP.

AUCKLAND, March I I

Making a 2000-feet jump from an aeroplane in a tricky wind which made his parachute difficult to handle. G. W. Sellars, the well-known parachutist, had a narrow escape from serious injury at the Mangere aerodrome to-day. when he landed heavily on his back. The only injuries he received were a bruised shoulder and several minor abrasions.

When he was still about 100 feet in the air spectators noticed that he appeared to be having some difficulty in facing his prospective lauding place, and he was twisting to get direction. Just before he touched the ground a gust of wind apparently caught the parachute and he landed on his back. He was taken to the Auckland Hospital in an ambulance and was treated and discharged.