LONDON TO N.Z. IN 24 HOURS IS POSSIBILITY

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 March 1949, Page 7

LONDON TO N.Z. IN 24 HOURS IS POSSIBILITY

LONDON, March 10.

London to Christchurch in less than 24 hours in 1953 is quite possible- of achievment, according to aeronautical authorities in London. They point, as an emample, to a recent flight across the United States in 3hr 46min, and covered 2090 miles at an average speed of 607 miles an hour.

They suggest that in four years there is no reason why such performances should not be repeated and improved upon in the International Air Race. A New Zealand pilot said that it would quite easy for a jet aircraft to be flown solo from England to Christchurch today in 24 hours’ flying time and 31 hours’ elapsed time, including seven halts for refuelling. The stages could be: airfield in southern England to Malta, Malta to Habbaniya in Iraq, Habbaniya to Karachi, Karachi to Necombo; in Ceylon, Necombo to Singapore, Singapore to Darwin, Darwin to Brisbane, Brisbane to Christchurch. The. De Flavilland Company at Hatfield is cautious about discussing the race, since it is so far ahead, but it hopes that the conditions will be announced as soon as possible, at least, within a few months, so that planning can begin. Once the conditions are announced, it is likely that a conference will be held with members of the associate firm in New Zealand. It is also possible that the company may enter an ailiner if there is a handicap as well as a scratch event.