TASMAN FLIGHT

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11830, 11 January 1933, Page 5

TASMAN FLIGHT

ARRANGEMENTS for departure of southern CROSS'

OFF EARLY THIS MORNING

GREAT EXCITEMENT IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

NO MAILS TO BE CARRIED

. (11.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) SYDNEY, Jan. 10. Sir Charles Kingsford . Smith stated definitely that he would leave Mascot Aerodrome' for Gorrirtgong Beach '.this' attornoon; unless cyclonic conditions arise. ' v ■. ' He makes. an appeal to the public not to request him to carry mails, and be has no official permission to do so, quite apart from the vital fact that additional weight will endanger the flight’s prospects. Sir Charles will talro duly one letter officially, containing greetings fpom the New Zealand Trade Commissioner, Mr. Schmidt,'to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes.

LARGE CROWD FAREWELL PLANE AT MASCOT.

SOUTHERN CROSS GERRINGONG.

SMITHY’S CONFIDENCE IN

“OLD BUS.”

AWAITING DEPARTURE

(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Jan. 10, 7' p.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 10. s -y The Southern Cross left Mascot at jilO for Gerringong, a largo crowd bidding farewell Sir Charles Kingsford' Smith and his companions. The weather was warm and fine, but a haze soon hid the.plane from view. Half a dozen small fliers went rip to' give the big Southern Cross a parting benediction. Sir Chas. Kingsford Smith brought, his charge gracefully down to the beach at Gerringong at 1.49, a strong north-easterly wind having helped her along.

The afternoon will be devoted to the final preparations for the flight.

Sir Charles, before hopping off, expressed confidence, that the “old bus” will make the trip untroubled.

Present indications are for favorable weather. The Government Meteorologist, Mr. Mares, gives his final forecast later, when information from New Zealand and other points comes to hand.

There will bo very few ships on the Tasman to-morrow. The Japanese freighter Sydney Mara, en route from Auckland, will be nearing the Australian Coast ,being due in Sydney on Thursday morning. The New Zealand freighter Port Waikato,, sails la to to-day and should be well out to .sea by daylight to-morrow. The Mauhganui from Wellington should pass the Southern Cross 300 miles from New Zealand to-mor-row afternoon.

HOURLY' WEATHER REPORT

CONDITIONS IMPROVING

(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel: Ocpy ’-ign t.) (Received Jan. 10, 10.00 p.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 10. Those in close touch with Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s arrangements state that it will not be kdp-.n definitely till midnight what t We hour of departure will be. Hourly weather reports are being received from 5 o’clock to-night at the radio station on tho beach fifty yards behind the Southern Cross. It was stated to-day that Hie weather is disturbed in the neighbourhood of Norfolk Island bnt fa\orabie about New Zealand and that the conditions have, improved laiei in the -Northern Tasman waters. “Smithy” 'is building his hopes on getting a start between 2 and 4 o'clock in the morning.

ARRIVAL EXPECTED AT FIVE-

O'CLOCK TO-NIGHT

ARRANGEMENTS to handle

CROWD OF 30,000.

NEW ZEALANDER AS

passenger

(Press A?soc.iatinn.> NEW PLYMOUTH, Jan. 10. c; r C. Kingsford Smith will leave G err in gong Beach, Sydney, at 2 a.m. (Sydney time) on Wednesday d The weather permits stated a ea rectived to-day irom Mr »• w. - son, seeretarv of the New Zeaian and New Plymouth Aero. Clubs, who will be a passenger on the southern Cross. , . Arrangements have been y handle.2s,ooo to 30,000 people at the New Plymouth aerodrome when t machine arrives ,which is expec r to be, approximately, o P-™- r ablv thirtv. aeroplanes, will be sembled on the aerodrome. . Mount Egmont has recently .boon %iriy free from cloud and should bo a valuable landmark to theavia_ on : The indications at present are a continuance of fine weat er.

BEAUTIFUL AND MAJESTI

SOUTHERN CROSS E.EADT TO

START

(TJ.P.A. by Elec. Tel. CopyngoD fßec. Jan. 10, IKIO p m - SYDNEY, Jan. I°On Gerringong Beach, with its enormous silvery wing span and silver and blue fuselage, making a wonder fui picture, the Southern Toss majestically out towards the . ocean over which, it is to roar its way New Zealand. Five hundred people—men, wome and children— remain . gathered round about even as dusk falls- - . As the mechanics got busy mala g the last adjustments find P° ctl .K the final supplies of petrol ahoar , the police kept onlookers at a distance. • • • y A couple of hours were occupied tanks and in examining everyVrt of the giant frame the mechanics leaving nothing to p ance. Sir Smith'and his crew— Mr. Taylor co-pilot*; Mr. Stancage,

wireless, operator- Mr. .Nielson of v Plymouth and Mr. Pcrcival, tho Sydney .journalist, motored''to EL : maria °A a visit to Friends. LATEST NEWS. favorable WEATHER. BEACH EX.FETE. NO SLEEP FOR ONLOOKERS. "SMITHY’* CREATES A DTVERV SION.. (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) , (Roc. Jan. 11, 12.6 a.m;) GERRINGONG, Jan. 1,0. ' The latest, weather reports at 9 o’clock to-night are' . favorable. Smithy expects to start at 2.30. Members of the Southern.-Cross party are in high spirits. The weather here is bright arid clear, with a fresh north-west wind.

“Smithy” hopes to be in New Plymouth at 5 o’clock to-morrow evening and have dinner there with his companions. He indulged in surf bathing after returning from Kiama, using the Southern Cross cabin for a dressing shed to the great interest of hundreds of onlookers, the absence of curtains at the windows adding piquancy to the situation.

Large crowds surround the plane, though police are keeping a space clear and motor cars are flocking beaeliward. No sleep is likely for anyone to-night. The whole seaside is on fete.

The fliers are in the pink of condition and confident. They tried out the searchlight, which was pronounced a success.

SMITHY’S PLANS

SOUTHERN CROSS TO LEAVE THIS MORNING.

(Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Jan; 10.

Advice hits been received in Wellington that Mr. Wilfred. Smith, who is ' at present in New Plymouth, received a private cable from Sir Chas. Kingsford Smith that he will bo leaving on his flight to-morrow morning (Wednesday), weather permitting.

NEW PLYMOUTH PREPARED

LOCATION OF AERODROME

CONTROL OF STGTTT-SEERS

PLANS FOR RADIO MESSAGES (Press Association.:

NEW PLYMOUTH. Jan. 10.

Preparations for the arrival of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith at New Plymouth after his flight across the Tasman in the Southern Cross are practically complete and the landing ground is in readiness for the giant monoplane. Comprehensive plans concerning wireless communication with the flieps from the time they leave Gerringong Beach, and the control' of the vast number of people expected to gather at the aerodrome - have been fo-mmlnted and an official reception arranged. Tlie aerodrome is one of the few i'u New Zealand that could accommodate the Southern Cross under long flight conditions, and art added advantage lies in the fact that it is the nearest aerodrome in Now Zealand to Sydney. The ground is six miles from New Plymouth and adjoins the main north road to f\aiia~ ra and Auckland at a point just beyond the village of Bell Block, with the son coast about three miles to |he west, ft has been, classed by the New Zealand Government as an A 1 landing ground, ?nd since that time a considerable sum of money has been expended in Vnipr-ovemetits. After Sir Charles signified hi? imontichi of landing at New Plymouth approximately £9OO ..was spent in levoiling and filling in depressions to increase the available area of flying ground. Besides first-class approach os tbe aerodrome is provided with many other amenties for the comfort and entertainment of member? and visitors POSITION OF AF..RODBOMF,

From Mount Eguioni which Sir Charles is using as his New Zealand objective, the landing ground lies in a north-easterly direction. Its present extent is 60 acres, hut the removal of wire boundary fences would increase the area to over 100 acre* of first-class land. It is of quadrilateral (hope with somewhat irregular dimensions. The shortest runwav on the ground in uso is one oi 500 yards, which is considered by ox ports to be sufficient for a pilot with the skill of Sir Charles lo land the big monoplane without difficulty. The most awkward landing would be an approach fpom roughly southwest to north-east, for the plane would have to bo kept fairly high to clear power lines on To Afei Road, which branches off iho main north road and provides the field with a diagonal boundary ort its south-west ides. However, a northeasterly wind is uncommon in the locality and in such a contingency boundary fences to the norlh-o a st wbuld bo removed in order to ensure ample space for a safe. descent. The main building comprises the hangar proper, a spacious, elub-poom with windows on three sides, a 'pilots’ room, kitchen, instructor’s office. fabric doping room, store room, locker and cloak room. The workshops are at one end of the hangar building and the social rooms at the other. ACCOMMODATING VISITORS.

Out-of-doors there is a hard-sur-faced tennis court and a nine-hole golf, course which runs over small gullies, and other land unsuitable, for fiving, skirting the main landing ground. The greens are now in readiness for winter play. The club room, is comfortably furnished a wireless set has been installed for members. For the accommodation of the. crowd an. area adjoining To A T ei. , Road is fenced ' off and a parking) area provided nearly. .As soon 3s; the Southern Cross arrives it will

bo taxied .into a. circular enclosure j-ound which people will be able to nvo’vo without touching the machine, Steps have been takein to prevent encroachment upon the landing ground when, the plane is brought in, for it is anticipated that there will ho a largo number of visiting planes, whose pilots will have to land after welcoming the Southern Cross. The Railway Department will run trains from New Plymouth, to the Nina Road crossing in the vicin ifcy of the aerodrome, but in spito of the fact that this will materially lessen the chances of road 'congestion, motorists nXo requested by the officials to make the trip early in tho afternoon. f WIRELESS ARR A N CEMENTS. What is practically a soand-pyoof building has been erected on the tennis court to house the wireless apparatus, and there Mr. L. Birch, the New Plymouth amateur in charge of the North Island control station, will tap out weather reports and other advice to amateurs in Sydney. Messages to Air. J. S. A\ • Stannage, the wireless operator on. the Southern Cross,, will have to be relayed from Wellington ns shortwave reception on the plane is impossible through electrical interference from tbe engines. Under the same roof Air. E. Easthope, a. telegraphist in tbe New Plymouth post office, will be picking up progress reports and replies from Air. Stannage by medium of powerful shortwave receivers. A temporary station erected on the Gerringong Bench by amateurs of the Sydney Zero Boat Club will also be in constant touch with tho Southern Cross and the New Plymouth control station. Loud-speakers ape to bo utilised to keep tbe public in touch with the progress of tho flight, and these will bo operated from another building. It is understood that another huilding is to be used by officers of the Post and Telegraph Department who will bo at the aerodrome. In order to give Press representatives an uninterrupted view of the whole ground, the flat roof of a lean-to building adjoining the hangar will be utilised. An official reception is to be held shortly after the Southern Cross is landed, and representatives front New Zealand aero clubs. Parliament, Defence and other Government departments as well as the representative? of many public bodies, have heen invited to attend.

A REAI ARK ABLE PLANE WITH A REMARKABLE HISTORY

The Southern Cross, which will shortly be arriving here piloted by Air Commodore Sir Kingsford Smith, is surely the most remarkable aeroplane that the world has seen. Not remarkable, perhaps, for its appearance or construction, hut certainly for its performances and its history. It is rhe only plane that has encircled all the big oceans. It is tbe only plane that has crossed the Pacific. Ocean from the Continent of America to the Continent of Australia. It lias flown from Australia to England (in then record time), and is one of the three planes that have made the hazardous crossing over the Atlantic from east to west. From New A’ork in wa's flown across the continent to it? starting point on its world wanderings, near Ban Francisco. It lias flown back and forth over the Tasman Sea and also non-stop across the Continent of Australia. Even before the’se wanderings started, however, the history of the Southern Cross was a romantic one. It was built in Amsterdam by the Fokker manufacturers, to the order of Admiral Byrd for a. trans-Atlantic flight. Negotiations between Admiral Byrd and the American Government fell through and th© monoplane was acquired by Sir Hubert Wilkins (then Captain Wilkin’s) for Arctic exploration work. With another plane they were abandoned in. the frozen wastes of Alaska for many months, owing to mechanical defects.

"When they were finally recovered, parts of both machines were found to be badly damaged by the heavy mass, es of ice and snow that had covered them during their period of exposure. However, they were finally repaired and were duly flown down to Seattle. Prior to ifr s acquisition by Kingsford Smith and his. partner, Charles Ulm, the Southern Cross was used tor some months for commercial purposes in, various parts of America. It was while it was engaged in this work that the aviators procured it to attempt- their flight from San Francisco to Brisbane, Of course, prior to this, the first big successful undertaking of the Southern Cross (as it now became known) the machine was thoroughly overhauled and provided with extra fuel tanks and equipment to fit it for its long flight. It was overhauled again in. Sydney before the journey to London and again prior to taking off on its latest and greatest “hop.” Very special preparations were necessary in this last case. On its arrival in the United States, back in the land from which it commenced its romantic jonrneyings, the Southern Cross was the subject of careful inspection by experts, while each of the engines was taken down and examined. These were pronounced in perfect condition, not a singlo mechanical defect being discovered. On the occasion of this present Eight from Australia to New Zealand two of the original engines will be used.

SHI CHARLES KINGSFORD

SMITH

incidents IN REMARKABLE

CAREER*

, Air Commodore Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, Kt., M.C., A.E.C., was the first Australian to fly across the Atlantic. He wa- s also the first man in the world to have flown across; two oceans, the Atlantic and the Pacific, and at the same time across the Tasman Sea,,, to. New Zealand, He also lowered Hinkler’s record .by ,six day£ in a solo flight from England to Australia.

Up to the time of his flight across the Atlantic, no machine had over made an uninterrupted flight westward from Europe to New York without mishap-, and the journey, in the opinion of notable aviators and navigators, is a particularly dangerouYi one.

When the history of the present deeado is written, one of th 0 i most interesting chapters will he that about aviation, and fir'st amongst tho names of great pioneers of long distance flights will be that of Air Commodore Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.

It is not many years ago since Kingsford Smith was a pilot of the West Australian Airway's on tho Perth-Derby service, where his ability as a pilot stood beyond question.

Aftor serving with the West Australian Airways for over twelve months, he purcha'sed a Bristol tourer, which is the war-tim e pilot’s wellbeloved Bristol Fighter, modified to carry, two passengers an the onetime observer’s compartment, and with his favorite, engineer, the late Mr Hitchcock, flew to Sydney with the object of carrying out a. flight round Australia.

Itis round-Australia flight with Mr C. T. P. Ulm first brought before, the public an exceptionally brilliant pilot and navigator, and a capable longdistance. flier.

Those unaccustomed to long distance flying have no idea of the mental and physical control a pilot must exercise when, sitting at the controls of an aeroplane for many hours at a Stretch. The majority of pilots get extremely bored during a non-stop flight of only a few hours, even when there are pleasant objects beneath to absorb the mind, such a? landinggrounds, railways, and tOAvnships, and Kingsford Smith and hi s companions on their trans-oceanic flights were no exception to this rule. When it comes to sitting behind an instrument board for more than 31 hours over the sea, through varied weather, with nothing to do but check the instruments and tho course given by the navigator. the pilot must have exceptional patience and endurance. It i 3 needless to recount all the magnificent flight's that have been made by Kingsford Smith in Ins Wright-engined Fokker monoplane, the 'Southern Cross, but wc will single out a few of his outstanding flights. First there is rhe Pacific flight (three stops) from California to Honolulu, thence to Fiji, and front there to .Melbourne to Perth apd return; Sydney to New Zealand and return; Australia to England.

Auv one of i tiese flights would place Kingsford Smith in the front rank of the world’s foremost aviators but his ambition urged him. on to attempt the Atlantic, flight, winch would give him tne distinction ot hav ing encircled the globe.

Soon after the flight from Australia to England, rhe Southern Cross v. as flown to the Fokker works at Amstcr dam to be overhauled and prepared for the Atlantic flight, \\7nlst- the machine was being re-conditioned Air Doc. Maidment, of the Wright Co., thoroughly overhauled rhe engines. Certain modification? were ra.riccl out on the machine, one of the must important being the fitting ot cornuious copper stripping, secured by asbestos holders, around the edges ot the wings. The copper was heated by means of ail electric current deli wren by a generator, which wa, wino-pre-pelled, and thus was eliminated, to a large extent, the formation and accumulation of ice on the wings oi planes which constituted suc-h a grave danger to former Atlantic airmen. In addition, the engines on the .wings, both port and starboard, we:e cowled and streamlined to oitor tbe least wind resistance. It wil! be remembered that the Southern Cross is an American-built Eoxker m noplane, powered with three \\ right Whirlwind engines. Each eng.no develops 220 h.p. at 1800 r.p r:i. and consumes 12 gallons of fuel an.l :no pints oi oil per hour, making a •o’uf consumption of 36 gallon? of perioi per hour. Kingsford Smith then flew tho machine to England, and decided upon the personnel of his crew. Later, he flew to Ireland and waited reports from the Meteorological Den ir uient predicting favorable weather conditions.. Tired of waiting lie took off at Port Marnock (Ireland) \n the early morning of Tuesday. June 2->, 1930. It is interesting to relate at this stage, that the machine carried 12io gallons of motor spirit and 27 gallons of oil. The fuel and oil carried at the outset of the flight .weighed -H tons -

The flight of Kingsford Smith from Ireland to America was the first successful east to west trails-Atlantic flight by the northern route (and this flight was accomplished in 31V flying hours) and Kingsford Smith once again proved to the world his capacity to carry out what is recognised as a most difficult aud hazardous undertaking, and has realised his ambition of flying completely round the world. We have hoard the remark passed that there is no need for brave men to risk their lives in spectacular flights, but we all know of the great increase in air-mindedne'ss throughout America and probably the whol e world which followed Lindbergh’s greatflight from New York to Paris five years ago, and there is no doubt that the development of commercial aviation is given great impetus by the successful accomplishments of flights such as those carried out by Amy Johnson i Kingsford Smith, Scott, and Arthur Butler in hrs tiny “Comper-Swift” monoplane. They dramatically displayed the capability and practical utility of the aeroplane. Flights such as those carried out by Kingsford Smith show the general public, both in this country and abroad, that aviation has advanced to a far greater extent than Is generally realised," and undoubtedly history has proved again and again that the outstanding achievements °f to-day will become the common-places of tomorrow.

More thati offer does the fiisif&ry of the (Southern Cross read like a story book, when we remember that for many months it was abandoned on the icy wa'stea of Alaska by ano they famous Australian, Sir Hubert Wilkins, who took two Fokkers with him

and left them both in Alaska after a re-arrangement of his plans. Before Kings ford Smith- and Air C. T. P. Ulna purchased the machine, it had been used for the transport of passengers to all manner of places. After the trans-Atlantic flight, the Southern Cross was flown by ‘•Smithy” to Oaklands, California, and presented to Captain Hancock, who was the financial backer of their Pacific flight, and Hancock, in turn, presented it back to “Smithy” and it was skipped to Australia, converted into a commercial passenger-carrying -machine, and used by the Australian National Airways, mainly for their Tasmanian service.

The great aviator will be seen hero shortly in the original Southern Cross and there is no doubt a wonderful welcome will be accorded them both.

LONG BIKE RTDE

TO SEE KTNGSFORD SMITH.i

to witness the arrival of Sir Charles Kingsforcl Smith at New Plymouth, two Eeatherston schoolboys, J. Blozam and B. Robinson, have left on bicycles for the Taranaki centre. They.‘intend camping on the way.