SMITH PULLS OUT

Grey River Argus, 4 October 1934, Page 5

SMITH PULLS OUT

FROM CENTENARY RACE Too Late to Start (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) SYDNEY, October 3. . The repairs to Kingsford Smith’s plane having required more time than had been hoped, it is understood that the airman has abandoned his intention of participating in the air race An official statement is expected later to-day.

It wouiy have been necessary for the machine to be ready for testing at Mildenhall Aerodrome on October 14, and Smith anticipated that it would have taken at. least four days to give it a proper overhaul after the flight. Even if he had been able to leave for England early to-morrow, this would have allowed him only six days for the flight. Smith’s Intention TO try for record. (Received October 3 at 8.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 3. Sir C. Kingsford Smith to-day announced his withdrawal from the Centenary Air Race. Delays in completing the repairs to his machine, Smith said, had made it impossible for him to reach England in time to participate in the race. Before selling his monoplane, he will attempt to set a record, and possibly will try to lower the time established by the winner of the Air Race.

Sir C. Kingsford Smith has sent a telegram to the Secretary of the Air Race Committee at Melbourne, announcing his withdrawal, and expressing deep regret at this decision. Interviewed, Sir C. Kingsford Smith said that both he and his colleague, Captain Taylor, were terribly disappointed. They would make every effort to repay their backers at the earliest possible moment. Their machine would probably have to be sold in America, as a commercial license could not be procured in this country. U.S.A. ENTRANTS. LONDON, October 2. Roscoe Turner and Clyde Pangborn arrived at Plymouth, with the air race monoplane. They are going on to Harve, where the plane will be tuned up and flown to England in readiness for the start. Tt is the first American entry to reach Europe. Turner says: The plane is capable of 200 miles hourly, with a range of 3000 miles without refuelling. Normally it carries twelve passengers and three of a crew, but only Pangborn, a wireless operator, and myself, are flying in the race. The remainder of the space will be occupied by extra petrol tanks. We are mighty glad to participate in the race, the greatest sporting event in history, and have the highest hopes of winning, but wish everybody the best of good fortune. We feel that whoever wins, aviation will be advanced, creating a better international understanding. AMERICAN WOMAN ENTRANT. ELIMINATED BY ACCIDENT. (Received October 3 at 1.1 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 2. While making a test flight to-day, Miss .Jacqueline Cochran badly damaged the Northrup monoplane in which she intended to fly to London for the Centenary Air Race, from which she is now eliminated, thus leaving Panghorn and Roscoe Turner as undoubtedly the only American entrants in the Centenary Race.