Swedish Flyer

Grey River Argus, 13 October 1936, Page 5

Swedish Flyer

STORY OF ATLANTIC ATTEMPT. (N.A.N.A. Copyright). LONDON, October 9. “Tt was the snowstorm that beat me”, wirelessed Bjoerkval from the Im brin. “1 had been flying for twentynine hours, half the time with somehing wrong with the propeller, I was just hoping for the best when I was forced to descend. I had to fly throughout with the propellor at low pitch. Owing to being unable to change to normal, I cut down the cruising speed to 11(1 miles hourly, enabling ice to form on the wings and controls. Sometimes, I had almost to wrestle with the controls to get the machine to answer. I repeatedly dived to thaw the ice, and flew just above the sea. then an impenetrable wall of snow forced me to climb. I reached ten thousand feet. Snowstorms were worse, and hail beat on the glass screen, until I feared it would be smasheu.

“I dared not even release the controls to get food-capsules. Once when I attempted, the Bellanca reared like a fiery horse, threw up her tail, flinging me to the cabin side, so I had to abandon thought of eating and drinking. Then, while my hands were numbed and cold, I found myself getting overwarm for comfort. I found the engine getting hotter and hotter, and missing. “I re-dived again and again, hoping the rush of air would cool the engine, which was effective for only a few minutes, whereafter it became swiftly almost red hot. I knew it was only a question of minutes before I had to descend or risk the engine seizing. I looked desperately for a ship. T had seen none trough the trip. I thought I could not expect such a miracle, when T discerned a tiny steamer, over which the waves were breaking, lessening my chances of rescue. I came down a thousand yards from the ship, which cleverly find bravely manoeuvred near mo, despite the terrific seas. Meanwhile, the Bellanca’s cockpits 'were submerged, with the tail stuck iup in the water I climbed out on the I wing. I failed four times to . reach the boat as I passed. At the fifth attempt I grabbed a rope, and was hauled aboard I fainted for the first time in my life.”