FASTEST IN WORLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10736, 6 November 1928, Page 3

FASTEST IN WORLD.

950 MILES AN HOUR

UNOFFICIAL seaplane RECORD.

LiKU'J. GREIG’S FEAT

United Preaa Abbh. by El. Tel. fJopyrlffhl (Australian Press Association. 1

LONDON, Nov. 4. Lieut.. Darcy Greig achieved an unofficial world’s seaplane record of 950 miles an hour, compared with Major Di BernhardiV 518} miles an hour. Announcing himself as satisfied with the preliminary tests he applied to the Air Ministry for permission to lattempt the record officially, which has been granted. Lieut Greig will make the attempt to-day if the conditions remain l : a, ora hie. \ RUGBY, Nov. 4. It cannot he assumed that the speed recorded by Flight-Lieutenant Greig yesterday will l>e reached in a flight under official surveillance. In an actual recorded flight the pilot must not exceed a height of 1300 ft. whereas yesterday Flight-Lieutenant Greig was probably in the region of 2000 ft., when he began tire dive. On the other hand, lie did not let his engines go full out. The speed is recorded by a camera-gun timing apparatus. .His task is extremely delicate 'and dangerous. After yesterday’s flight his jacket w’as black with smoke, and the windscreen was almost covered at 0110 time by the fumes.

SPEED OF 340 MILES AN HOUR ATTAINED. ONLOOKERS FASCINATED. AVIATOR “SHOULDERED” BY JF COMRADES. Unijjid Pros* Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright ffl (Australian Press Assn... / LONDON, November 4. a Although Lieutenant Darcy Greig, Lieutenant Webster’s Schneider Clip winner at Calshot, flew at an unprecedented speed, averaging 819.58 miles an hour, he was unable lo create a new record owing to his failure to exceed Major Di Bernardi's 318.62 miles an hour by live miles an hour, in accordance with the rules of the Federation Aeronaulique Internationale. In bright autumn sunshine, thousands of people from vantage points around Calshot saw Lieutenant Greig fly faster than anyone in the world has ever done, but; not fast enough in defeat Major Di Bernardi’s world record.

The conditions were ideal, with good visibility and little wind. The was calm when Lieuten'ant Greig’s seaplane was towed into the Solent. It taxied faster and faster, churning out spray. Lt then climbed m the direction of the Isle of Wight rose to a height of 1200 ft., "and then swooped down, with the engine steaming, to 50ft. above the sea for the first attempt on a measured.mile. It gave the fascinated, onlookers a umv . and. astonishing conception of speed, the plane visiting Cowes, Hyde, Calshot. ,and .Southampton within four minutes. Six times the machine, rose to the maximum per-

mitted height, and then swooped down on the covered level course, the speed being oliiciallv measured by camera guns, which simultaneously photographed the face of a stop watch and the seaplane passing a given spot. Lieutenant Greig expressed the opinion that during all-out dives towards the course he attained a speed •f 340 miles an hour. The. engine ran perfectly at 3900 revolutions a minute.

•Aviation officials gave the pilot; an ovation, and shouldered him when he ianded. Lieutenant Gi-eig bore the disappointment of not establishing a new record with composure. He declared that he was most willing to have another whack if the Air Ministry would pel 7ll it. Lieutenant Greig whs altogether 2 - 3 minutes in the air. The timeweepers announced the times for the four elected runs and gave the speeds at 322.63, 316.54, 319.-56, and 319.56 miles an hour, giving n mean of 319.57 miles an bony. The Morning Post’s expert says: .“Thus Italians retain the reeoid. It seems unlikely that present British machines can beat it. The Air Ministry may- permit Lieutenant. Greig to make an attempt with a different air screw fitted.” The Daily Telegraph understands that the Air Ministry Avill not permit another attempt until the seaplanes Being, designed for. the. Schneider Cup in 1929 are completed.