CAIRO TO THE CAPE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 14 March 1927, Page 7

CAIRO TO THE CAPE.

HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT. NOT MERELY A, “STUNT.” Sir Samuel Hoare, Secretary of State lor Air, presided ‘at a lecture delivered at the Royal United Service Institution, London, by Wing-Commander C. VV. H. .Pu'iord on the subject of a flight from Caiio to the Cape and bach to England. This officer led a flight of lour machines from Cairo to the Cape, and f rom the Cape back to London. Sir Samuel said that the enterprise was one of great romance and adyeiftuie. it involved a flight of 14,000 miles from one end of Africa to tlie other, over every kind of country, and through almost every variety of climate. Part of the flight was by sea, as the airmen had to cross the Mediterranean and the English Channel on the return journey. He thought that such a trip Was worthy to be classed with some of tlio greatest travels of tlie past. The lecturer would tell of careful preparation, the organisation of every detail, and the- most detailed supervision. He and his companions wore shining examples of the achievement of success by close attention to small things. The interest of the trip did not end with romance, adventure, and organisation. It illustrated a most vital phase of the possibilities of Empire defence. Sir Hugh Trenchard and liis staff had rightly been concentrating on promoting the mobility of tho Air force with special*regard to tho requirements of Empire defence. It was hoped to make tlie Air Force, more and more mobile, and capable of concentrating on any part of the Empire. This flight was not a “stunt,” but an ordinary service exercise. Four machines were engaged, and, flying in formation, kept to programme time day after day. From the lessons taught by this wonderful flight it was possible to \ isualise the time, say, ten years hence, when the Air Force would be so thoroughly organised from one end of tlie Empire to the other, that, with efficient organisation between the Dominions and tlie Mother Country, the Empire' would possess an efficient and mobile force which could be rapidly concentrated on any part of our Dominions.

ANTICIPATIONS FOR YEAR.

The Imperial Conference had been 'studying this matter during the past few, weeks, and had had a most valuable discussion. They considered mainly the two great Empire air routes oi the future —namely, that between this country and Capetown, and the route ■between England and Australia. It had been arranged that a number of flights should be made next year across these routes by our own Air Force in co-operation with civil machines, and the Governments of various parts of tlie Empire. In.the case of the African route the home Air I'orce would link up with civil aviators in the flight from Cairo to Kenya, ahd the South African Government would co-operate in the completion of the flight to tlie Cape. In the case of Australia Mr- Bruce had promised, on behalf of his Government, to co-operate in any flights that might be arranged by the Imperial authorities. This might be a small beginning, but it was the begininng of great developments. AVhen the necessary aerodromes had been properly organised, and were regularly maintained, we should find that we had a great civil asset, and an asset for military purposes as well. It was intended to make these long flights a part of the normal training of our Air Force. Wing-Commander Pulford described the flight in detail, and . said that the long distance was covered without a single serious mishap. The aviators were warmly welcomed everywhere, and immense crowds turned out at various points to see them land. The lecturer spoke of the bad visibility occasioned bv sand storms, and of the trials of climate —for instance, the shade temperature at Khartum was 105 degrees on the outward journey and 115 degrees on the return. The flying height varied enormously, from something like 50ft;' to over 12,000 ft. Some of the natives regarded the airmen with considerable awe; and spoke of them as “the King’s birds.” Others were certain that the gods were coming, and one native boy asserted that they were Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John returning.