Trans-Atlantic Flight.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IX, Issue 117, 3 May 1919, Page 5

Trans-Atlantic Flight.

HAWKER AND RAYNHAM STILL WAITING FOR FAIR WEATHER. (.Received 3, 9.30 a.in.) St. Johns, April 23. (Delayed) Captain Hawker and Captain Raynham have been ready nearly a week to start their (light. They are awaiting only the Air Ministry's report and favourable conditions at sea. Both are living near the hangars and are ready to start at a moment’s notice. A start seemeu probable to-day as local weather conditions are good, but the Air Ministry’s report stating that conditions at sea were favourable carat too late. An earlier message from St John’s, ■ Newfoundland, says that Hawker is taking advantage of the delay to adjust his equipment. The news-papers are giving prominence to Hawker, who completed his arrangements several days ahead of his rivals. His Sopwith machine, weighing 61001 b, is of the land type, and has a cruising speed oi 105 miles. At 10,000 ft it is capable of a maximum flight of 31 hours and carries 330 gallons of petrol, sufficient for 25 hours at a speed of 100 miles.

Hawker proposes to mop the under-carriage after the start, tin i< by uononii mgcqi val nt o 25 horsepower. It is not expected the machine will crash when landing, as ; the fuselage is -designed to slide on smooth ground. Ilin machine carries a collapsible boat to seat nvo persons. It is ntteu with paudles, flares and emergency rations. Raynham whose nmchiiic is ready lor tne mil flight dcclms that he will not be forestalled it it is humanly possible to prevent it. Raynham’s machine, weighs 50001 b, ana carries 300 gallons ot petrol. Hawker and Grieve will wear liie-savnig suns Kijnhin c me 11 electrically he itza tsbe tos loot winner, without lite suing -luparatus Hawker has also a canvas nteboat. Morgan, Rivnhan navi D itoi was wounded in the war, and has a wooden leg. iric-K.es nies a- lairev seaplane of 375 11 1 pov ei ind a cun iri n p eel of 120 miles.

The Washington correspondent of the “New York lunes has been informed that the proposed United (States naval Transatlantic flight will not start until May. Probably two naval airplanes will leave Nevvfounu land simultaneously some time during May for the Azores, then they will fly to the west coast of Portugal. A naval mission has been touring) the Newfoundland coast in order to j determine the best starting point. | A New York message states that I Major Torn Cauley flew from San Diego (California) to Jacksonville (Florida), 5500 miles, in 441 hours, at an average speed of 137 miles and hour. , I A report from Rome states thatan Italian aeroplane is entering, the pilots being Captain Papa and Lieut. | Guide. 1