RUSSIAN AIRMEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 June 1937, Page 7

RUSSIAN AIRMEN

END OF THE FLIGHT EVADING PUBLICITY [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] NEW YORK, June 20. The Soviet airmen, Chakalov, Baydukov, and Belyakov, who attempted to fly from Moscow to San Francisco via. the North’ Pole, had to land near Vancouver < (Washington). The airman announced that Vancouver would be officially <•!»’•• il: .-ed the end of the flight and the instruments would be sealed there. The abrupt end of their aerial dash was seen by only a few soldiers, because of the general belief that they would land at Portland (Oregon), where 100 persons—journalists and photographers—waited hopefully. Ghakalov emerged first from the cabin after remaining at the controls for the entire journey. Peering from reddened eyes, he took a few uncertain steps and then lighted a cigarette. He was greeted by a student from the University of Washington who spoke Russian and acted as an interpreter. While gulping a glass of water, Chakalov denied the widespread report that the landing was due to a. broken oil line. The crew were reluctant-to discuss the trip before the arrival of M. Troyanovsky, the Russian Ambassador.

Crowds gathered magically, cheered the flyers and slapped them on the back, but they paid little heed. They hurriedly motored to the commandant’s house, where they had breakfast and sipped cognac before retiring to bed. It is disclosed that the drinking water froze over the Pole and the crew had to suck ice. The pilot insisted that the single motor functioned perfectly throughout the? flight/ It was announced that the plane will be dismantled and shipped to Russia, and the trip to San Francisco wil be made via -a commercial plane. M. Troyanovsky said that a tour of the United States was under discussion by the fliers.

TWO BRITISH OFFICERS KILLED.

(Received June 22, Noon). BEAUVAIS, June 21. A British tourist aeroplane crashed eighteen miles south-east of here. Hon. T. S. Fermor Hesketh, soil of Lord Hesketh, and Second Lieutenant Nutford Ashley, both of the Scots Guards, were killed.

MRS PUTNAM. (Recd. June 22, 10.30 a.m.) SINGAPORE, June 21. t Mrs Earhart Putnam has arrived. WOMEN’S ALTITUDE RECORD. HONOLULU, June 20. Miss Beverley Dodge and Mrs. Virginia Thomas flew a light plane to an unofficial altitude of 17.000 feet. This is claimed to be a new women’s record. The barograph has been sent to Washington for fhe approval of the National Aeronautical Association.

NORTH ISLAND SERVICE.

AUCKLAND, June 21.

The Union Airways pilots to command the Lockheeds on the AucklandWellington service will be Commanders B. A. Blythe A. G. Gerrand, T; W. White, C. M. Duthie. The co-pilots will be Second Officers E. A. Robinson, P. A. Mathieson. S. Meacham, and J. Peel.

N.Z.MAIL FOR ENGLAND.

AUCKLAND. Juno 21

Close upon the inconvenience caused through the hasty closing at Auckland on Friday of air mail for the Australia-Singapore-England route, ow ing to the delayed departure of a, cargo steamer, a further air mail consignment for England was closed to-day •- by the postal authorities at a few hours’ notice. English air mail to have closed at 1 p.m. on Friday for dispatch from Auckland for Sydney by the Wanganella left to-night, after advice of delay to the Wanganella, by the Union Company’s cargo steamer Kairanga. A wireless advice received this afternoon from the Wanganella, which left Sydney for Auckland early on Sunday mqrning, stated, that she was encoulntering heavy weather, and would now arrive on Thursday, a day late. This delay has meant that the Wanganella, which was to have left on her return to Sydney on Friday, will not sail until noon on Saturday. In these circumstances it will be impossible for. the passenger liner to arrive at Sydney in time to catch the train leaving at 7.25 p.m. on Tuesday for Cootamundra, the terminal of the air mail service. To avoid a delay of three days for the next air mail,' the postal authorities were again called upon for instant action, and decided to use the Kairanga, which cleared Auckland tonight, and which is due. at Sydney on Sunday or Monday. The mail ‘will arrive at London on July 11. That to be carried by the Wanganella will arrive three days later. Immediately the delay to the M nnganella was announced post office officials communicated with banks, and as many of. the commercial houses as possible: but the change occurred too late to lie incorporated in the mail notice.