NON-STOP RECORD

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 5 December 1929, Page 5

NON-STOP RECORD

’PLANE PREPARING

ANOTHER ATTEMPT BY BRITAIN % FAVOURABLE OPPORTUNITY AWAITED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. Dec. 3. The Royal Air Force longdistance aeroplane, which hi the spring flew 11011-stop to India, and has, since its return undergone slight alterations, at the Northolt aerodrome, to-day flew to the Oarnwell aerodrome (Lincolnshire), which has a specially long take-off, to await a favourable opportunity to start another attempt on the long distance flight record. Squadron-Leader Jones-Williams and Flight-Lieutenant Jenkins, who took the machine on its London flight, will attempt to fly over Africa non-stop to Capetown, a distance of about (1000 miles. The start will be made in about a fortnight. Great satisfaction was caused by the fine accomplishment of Jones-Williams and Jenkins, in flying without a stop to India in the remarkable time of just over two days. The time they had taken when they landed at Karachi was 5Q hours 38 minutes, but they had flown past Karachi for some distance when they decided to return there owing to dwindling petrol. Actually they had taken only just over 48 hours when they first flew over Karachi. , When the Fairey -monoplane was sighted over Karachi it was hoped that Bangalore, 1000 miles away, which was the intended] destination, might ho reached and the world’s non-stop longdistance record of 4464 miles, held by the Italian airmen Ferrari and Del Prete, might 'be beaten. Little doubt is expressed in aviation circles that the record would have been beaten but for an unexpected head wind against which the airmen struggled between Jaslc and Karachi. This caused increased fuel consumption, and considerable reduction in speed. The pilots’ feat, despite the disappointment. was a striking success. It brought East nearer West than any previous journey in history, and it- 'had a. vital bearing on the future development of Empire airways and defence. The Fairey ’plane is a beautifully streamlined monoplane, constructed by the Fairey Aviation Company at their works at Hayes, near London. It is propelled by a 530 horse-power NapierLyon water-cooled _ engine, akin to the Napier racing engines which aT© fitted to the previous fastest aeroplane and the fastest car in the world, the Supermarine monoplane flown at 319)- miles an hour by Flight-Lieutenant D’Arov Greig, and Sir Henry Segraye’s “Golden Arrow.” Inside the slim fuselage space is provided for a bed, where the pilot off duty may rest.