THE AIR RACE

Grey River Argus, 20 October 1934, Page 5

THE AIR RACE

STARTING TO-DAY The Taking-Off Order draw for positions. MOLLISONS FIRST AWAY. (Aus. & N Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, October IS. After a ballot, the committee announced the starting order at intervals of 45 seconds, as follows:- — No. 63: The Mollisons, Comet, two special Gipsy Sixes, 225 h.p. No. 5: Roseoe Turner, Pangborn and R. Nichol, Boeing Transport Pratt, Whitney Wasps, 550 h.p. No. 29: Fitzmauriee and Bonar, special Bellanea Pratt Whitney Wasp Junior, 700 h.p. No. 19: Catheart, Jones and Wall, D.H. Comet, two special Gipsy Sixes, 225 h.p. No. 6: Geysendorffer and Asjes, Prone Pander mail plane, Wright Whirlwinds, 440 h.p. No. 58: Stack, S. L. Turner, McArthur, Airspeed Viceroy, two Siddeley Cheetahs, 290 h.p. No. 34: Scott, Campbell and Black, D.H. Comet, two special Gipsy

Sixes, 225 h.p. No. 44: Permantiore Moll, Vanbrugge, Prins, and three passengers, Gielesen, Dominique and Fraulein Rasche, Douglas, two Wright Cy-

clones, 715 h.p. No. 46: Miss Jacqueline Cochrane, Wesley Smith and R. Leonard (Leonard joining at Allahabad),

Granville Pratt Whitney Hornet. 525 h.p. No. 33; Wright and Polando, Lambert Monoconpe, Warner Scarafb, 145

h.p. No. 15: Davies and Hill, Fairey 111 F Napier Lion, 530 h.p. No. 62: Baines and Zilman, Fairey Fox Fairey Felix, 430 h.p. No. 36: Woods and Bennett, Lockheed Vega, Pratt Whitney Wasp, 459

h.p. No. 60: Hewett, Kay, F. Stewart, D.H. Dragon, two Gipsy Sixes, 205 h.p. No. 35: Parer and Hemsworth, Fairey Fox, Fairey Felix, 450 h.p. No. 7: Hansen and Jensen, De Scatter Gipsy, 105 h.p. No. 31: Brook, passenger Miss Lay, Miles Falcon, Gipsy Major, 120 h.p.

No. 2: McGregor and Walker, Miles Hawk, Gip Major, 120 h.p. No. 47: Flight-Lieutenant Shaw, British Glemm, Eagle Gipsy Major, 120 h.p. No. 14: De Stodart and K. G. Stodart, Airspeed Courier, Siddeley Cheetah, 270 h.p. No. 16: Melrose, Puss Moth, Gipsy Major, 120 h.p.

It has been decided that all the machines will be lined up level, to start from the left and right-hand sides, alternately.

It is announced that owing to their late arrival, it is impossible for No. 62, Gilman and Baines, to undergo the tests necessary in the handicap race. The committee is endeavouring to complete sufficient tests to enable their participation in the speed race.

Gilman arrived at Mildenhall in the darkness. He received a cablegram of good wishes from his mother in Auckland. He asked the “SunHerald” to tell her that he will try to put up a show worthy of her. No. 19 (Cathcart Jones and Wall) had an accident. This is a D.H. Comet machine. Its undercarriage collapsed when landing. The propellers were damaged. The plane may be able to start in the air race. Cathcart Jones was piloting the plane, which was heavy, and in landing, pushed the wheels up into the engine. De Haviland’s state that it may be repaired in time to start in the race.

Every effort is being made to fit No. 19 for the race, but long after dark it was still in the centre of the aerodrome, where the accident occurred. Jones is uncertain as to the cause, but believes that he must have landed with the wheels partly retracted. An improvement in the weather has enabled many pilots to seize the opportunity of trial flights. No. 29 roared across the aerodrome at a great speed.

The Air Ministry meteorological officer has given encouraging reports as to weather conditions. A tail wind prevails right across Europe, promising the flyers valuable assistance for most of the way to Baghdad. The Bleriot 111 (French) machine, Gnome Rhone, 810 h.p. (Challe and Moliner), owing to its accident, is not starting. RUGBY, October 18. The competing machines in the England-Melbourne air race will be taken from the hangars at Mildenhall on Saturday, one hour before the first plane is signalled off at 6.30 a.m. Only bad visibility or fog will delay the start of the race. If the weather conditions are such that none of the planes has been sent off by 10 a.m. on Saturday, it is likely that the start will be postponed until Sunday, as all the competitors are anxious to have as much daylight flying as possible for their first hop. At present, however, there is every prospect of favourable weather over Europe on Saturday.

FAVOURABLE WINDS. '(Received October 19 at 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, October 19. Tremendous interest is being shown in the Air Race. The “Daily Mail” expresses the opinion that if the wind continues to blow as predicted, at the rate of 50 miles an hour from the north-wes't, Melbourne will possibly be reached by fliers in under three days. JACKSON STARTS. — LONDON, October 18. The speedway rider Sid Jackson, on <his lone flight to Australia, has left

ue Hopes to reacn .Lyons to-night. He is making an attempt on the England-Australia record, in an Avian machine, fitted with extra tankage, giving it a range of 1500 miles. LONDON, October 18. Sir James Parr has ordered, on behalf of New Zealand, six standard Moth aeroplanes, from De Haviland's, fitted with Gypsy engines of 130 h.p. SINGAPORE WEATHER REPORT. SINGAPORE, October 19. The stage is set for the arrival of of the p’.anes at the local aerodrome. The weather between Victoria Point and Singapore is generally fair, with light winds. Visibility is go>od. Heavy but local showers are I'ikely within the next 24 hours.

Trans-Pacific Flight SMITH STARTS FROM SYDNEY. (Received October 19 at 8.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 18. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Captain Taylor left Sydney for Brisbane shortly aflter noon to-day, they having been delayed through the necessity to replace a broken wireless aerial. The machine is now described as perfectly conditioned for the big flight. Smith expresses the utmost confidence in the success of the flight.