TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 19 October 1928, Page 7

TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

ATTEMPT IN MOTH ’PLANE.

(Australian Press Association — United Service.) NEW YORK Oct. 18.

■Commander MacDonald, who is attempting to fly across the Atlantic in a -Moth ’oiane, learned to fly only recently (says a London cable), and, after eight hours’ solo flying, lie toured France. Italy ,Egypt Arabia., Palestine and Iraq .in a Moth. When returning he made a forced landing among a party of Arabs, and \va.si made a .prisoner until lie managed to send a message to the Italian armoured ear force. He is a skilled navigator, and is using the aeroplane in which Oa.pt. Broad established the record endurance flight of 24 hours recently. Jt weighs 800 pounds. , . . Commander MacDonald is extrerney popular in-the Navy, where hi* courage is acknowledged. Vain efforts' were made to dissuade him from liis pro-; jeet.

WIFE ANXIOUSLY WAITING

LONDON, Oct. 18

“1 did not. know my husband had stanted until 3 heard the news by wireless,’’ said MacDonald's wife, who wa.i waiting anxiously all night Iwside the tc ephone at- her home at Queensgate, Kensington. “I did not think the weather conditions good enough,, and t-h*3 news came as a great surprise. Of course I have every' confidence in my husband’s skill, but it -is a big thing. I am terribly anxious and cannot 'help thinking of him in that tiny machine over the vast Atlantic. i shall just sit here waiting until the news comes.”