AVIATION

Grey River Argus, 9 June 1933, Page 5

AVIATION

THE MOLLISONS Out of Luck PLANE FAILS TO TAKE OFF. (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received June 8 at 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 8. The- Mollisons attempted to start at 5.39 p.m. They travelled one hundred yards and then toppled over. The Mollisons were unhurt. Eire engines, an ambulance, and the crowd dashed across the aerodrome. The ambulance reported that the Mollisons wer c unhurt. It appears that the aeroplane the “Seafarer’’ had not risen from the ground, when the “V” strutt of the undercarriage collapsed, striking a bump. Both underwings were broken, the propeller bunt, and the eugim s turn Amy and her husband were terribly despondent when they left the plane. Amy said, “It is t'nible. I am very disappointed. ’ ’ Her husband ju>t pointed to the machine, words seemed to fail him. The mechanics immediately got busy with repairs The mishap was apparently due to th'* tremendous load of approximately three tons. Mr and Mrs Mollison returned tv their hotel. TO TRY AGAIN. (Received June 8 at 10 p.m.) LONDON, June 8. Mr Moll iso ri said he had received favourable Atlantic reports, and tho night before said to Amy: “We are off at dawn.” He was glad the suspense was ended as both realised the flight was a gamble, tho chancus of success being about even. The indominable couple regard the upset as a mere incident, and arc determine 1 to start; again as soon as possible. AIR SERVICE IN N.Z. Projected for August (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, June 8. Plans for a regular air service between Napier and Gisborne are now nearing completion, according to Mr E. A. Robinson, organiser of the venture, who is leaving Wellington for Gisborne to-morrow, in tho hope of completing negotiations for the formation of a company for the inauguration of the service. The syndicate, which intends making application for registration as a company within the next fortnight, proposes to be known as “Aerial Services Ltd.” The intention is to operate a service with a Blackburn Scgrave cabin monoplane, seating a pilot and three passengers, and powered by two 120 horse-power inverted Gipsy engines. The machine is to be imported from England, and it is hoped to have the service established by August. The headquarters of the concern are to be at Gisborne. The intention is to run one two-way journey in the morning, connecting with the Wellington express. If sufficient traffic is forthcoming, an afternoon service will also be run. Mr Robinson will be the managing director. The chief pilot, who will also be a director, will be Captain J. Stewart Dick, late of the Royal Air Force, and a former pilot between Cairo and Bagdad air mail.

As the machine will have a cruising speed of 120 miles per hour, the journey between the two towns will be accomplished in about three-quar-ters of an hour. MATTERN'S ORDEALS. (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, June 7. A special message from Mattern at Omsk says: “I battled against bad weather, high winds and terrific changes in temperature, ranging from freezing point to 100 degrees. This affected the flow of petrol from tanks. “Once I dived 6000 ft. and the wing cracked. Though I am now behind Post and Gatty’s record 1 still hope ultimately to beat it.” FORCED LANDING. LONDON, June 8. Mattern made, a forced landing at Prokopievsk, whence an aeroplane with a mechanic and instruments is flying to his assistance from Novosibirsk.