FLIGHT TO LONDON

Gisborne Times, 31 October 1928, Page 5

FLIGHT TO LONDON

SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA LEAVES SYDNEY A GOOD TAKE-OFF WHY OWEN WAS DECLINED LEAVE United Press Assn, ty "EL Tel. Copyright (Australian Press Association.) _ SYDNEY, Oct. 30. The aeroplane, Spirit of Australia, left Richmond aerodrome at 4.40 o’clock this morning on the first' stage of the flight to London and back. The weather was dull but fine. . Captain Hurley and his- companions, Flying-Officers Moir and Owen, were farewelled by a small crowd of well-wishers as the plane made a good take-off in the grey dawn".' The defence authorities explain that the reason for declining leave for Owen is that it cost a great deal of money to train him. and his ser-. vices are valued too highly to permit his hopping off on a private venture, which, if successful, would probably result in the department losing, him altogether. The regulations require that an officer must serve four years after gaining his pilot’s certificate. Owen has keen four years in tho service, but has only held a certificate for two. His resignation has not yet been accepted. He. therefore, r is still a member of the Air Force. It is 'an- offence for him to he absent without leave, and he could be arrested and court-martialled for desertion.

GWENS GOES WITH PLANE. AUTHORITIES EMULATE NELSON.

United Press Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright (Australian Press Association.) (Received Oct. 30, 8.25 p.ni )' SYDNEY. Oct. 30. Jhreo hundred people forsook their beds early in the morning in order to see the “Spirit of Australia” set out on its record-breaking attempt trom Australia to London and return flight, and to wish the airmen God speed.”

Apparently the Defence Department’s heads had decided to emulate Nelson and turn a blind eye towards Flying Officer Owens’ absence from duty, letting the matter go at the official expression of deprecation already mentioned. Anyhow, he took his place in the plane, after what was evidently a most friendly talk with Sir Neville Howse, Minister for Health, who was present to give the venture a semi-official blessing on behalf of the Federal Government. The plane carries letters from Mr Bruce to Air Baldwin, Cardinal Ceretti to the Pope, and local loyal Fascists to S. Mussolini. The mascots include a small statue of St. Christopher, xhe patron saint of motoring, and a piece of the propeller blade of Ross and Keith Smith’s plane. The latter excited the comment from Flight-Lieutenant Ulm,' who was present) “That’s an historic piece of wood.” The people gathered in the early morn, braving the extremely cold wind that searched the plain, and gazing through the Hangar windows at the aeroplane inside. Just after four o’clock the plane was wheeled out, the engine started and warmed up, while the onlookers watched with chattering teeth. As the dawn vanquished the moonlight, the airmen’s farewells were said and they climbed into the machine. Air Force men having given everything a final test, and looked over the engines, voices rose to 3 roar, and the “Spirit of Australia’.’ taxied across the ground, then rose, circled the. drome and set her course west nor’ west for Oodnadatta, where they should arrive this evening. The crew were dressed in ordinary clothes, discarding the conventional flying gear. Hurley’s chief concern seemed to he a bowler, in which he hopes to make history by upsetting the amenities at Calcutta and Croydon. which have never yet been startled by the vision of such unorthodox headgear existing in an aeroplane. FORCED LANDING 300 AHLES FROAI BROKEN HILL United Press Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright (Australian Press Assn.) (Received Oct. 30. 11 p.m) BROKEN HILL, Oct, 30. Hurley was forced to land 300 miles from Broken Hill, with_ engine trouble. This was soon remedied and he continued the flight, landing at Broken Hill at two in the afternoon and remaining here for an examination. Broken Hill is 700 railway miles from Sydney. The flight will be resumed at daybreak to-morrow for Oodnadatta and Wyndham.