AVIATION

Grey River Argus, 8 October 1934, Page 5

AVIATION

CENTENARY RACE U.S.A. Cracks Sailing (Aus. & NZ. Cable Assn.) (Received October 7 at 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 6. The British United Press Havre correspondent states: United Stakes shipping lines have come to the rescue of the airmen Pangboi’n and Turner, guaranteeing t'he money that their ma chine will be landed and that rhe airmen will sail for London on Sunday. MORE U.S.A. COMPETITORS. (Received October 6 a’,* 6.30 p.m.) NEW YORK. October 5. Jack Wright and John Polando have sailed aboard the O ympic night with their nionocoupe aero plane, the smallest entry in the Cen tenary race. 1/ has a wing spread of only twenty-three feet, but its flying ‘■•ii ge is 1758 miles. Polando who was formerlv the co-holder of the distance record with the late Russell Boardman in their non-stop flight from New York to Istanbul, has expressed confidence in their ability to reach Melbourne in five days.

Wess Smith (pilot) and four mechanics, with Miss Jacqueline Cothran’s '‘fleebee'’ morop’ane. also sailed to-night. Miss CoThran, who intends to act .as co-pilok, ex|>eet.si 1 * Fail on a later ship. She was former ly a nurse and a dress model. N.Z. ENTRANTS. AUCKLAND, October 6. Provided the weather is favourab’e., it is Ithe intention of Squadron Leader Hewitt and Flying Officer Kay, of Auckland. New Zealand’s representatives in the Centenary air race from London 'to Meib< urne, to fly the Tasman immediately following the race. The New Zealand de Haviland p'ane w'ill be called Tainui, and it been alotted ithe New Zealand registration letters ZK-ACO. Its racing number is 60. It is probable that there will be a third member of the crew of the machine, who will act as wireless -operator. It i.- being flitted With additional tanks in sections, at a cost of between £6OO and £7OO to g*ive it an extra cruising range up 'to 2000 miles.

FRANCE DEMANDS DUTY ON PLANE. LONDON, October 5. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith was hoc ajone in experiencing vexatious technicalities, as these now hold up the air race plans of Mr. Clyde Pangborn and Colonel Roscoe Turner, American entrants. They say that within a few days thev must either find about £4OOO or lose their aeroplane and forgo the race. They travelled from America with their Boeing monoplane. The weather prevented their (landing at Plymouth. They went on to Havre, hoping to tranship their plane to England yesterday, but gales delayed the unloading and the French Customs now demand £4OOO duty. The New Zealander, Flying-Officer S. S. Kirsten, is a non-starter, as he is unable to obtain the Short Scion, which Mr R, C. Wallace entered. WARSHIPS GOING. SHANGHAI, October 5. The American cruiser Augusta, flag ship of the United States naval forces in the Far East, sailed for Melbourne to-day for the Centenary celebrations. Six hundred enthusiastic officers and men are looking forward to their Australian visit. SYDNEY, October 6. The New Zealand cruisers Dunedin and Diomede sailed at 9.30 o’clock this morning for Hobart direct. They will remain there until October 16 when they will sail for Melbourne to take part in the welcome to the Duke of Gloucester.