AERIAL DERBY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 230, 11 September 1922, Page 5

AERIAL DERBY

A Thrilling- Finish WINNER’S GREAT FLIGHT. BARNARD OUTPACES ALL COMERS. LORD HAIG MISSING. (By Cable.—Pres* Association.—Copyright.] London, Sept. 8. Twenty-one left Croydon this morning at 9 o’clock for an air race round Britain, the first prize for which is a massive silver cup weighing 20 pounds. About a dozen women participated in the race as passengers, including Princess Lowenstein Wertheim, who is a passenger aboard her own machine. Courtney, who is scratch, on a 325-horse-power Siskin, covered 106 miles to Birmingham in 50 minutes. Three machines made forced landings on the first lap, but no one was hurt. Lord Haig, who piloted a Bristol plane, is missing. It is supposed he landed in an out-of-the-way spot. Eleven aviators reached Newcastle on the second stage safely. Barnard was the first to reach Glasgow, with a D.H. 49 machine of 350 horse-power, covering the journey in 381 minutes 20 seconds, including stops of 90 minutes each at Birmingham and Newcastle. Most of the pilots encountered mist and fog, thereby losing their way. Thirteen reached Glasgow, 394 miles from Croydon, the last arriving 141 minutes after Barnard, who wins the £4O prize given by the Glasgow’ Corporation to the first to reach the city. Raynham, second was three minutes later. Courtenay, fourth, was 25 minutes behind Barnard, but his actual flying time was only 30 seconds slower. Grey, who was piloting Mr Winston ChruchilPs aeroplane, returned to Newcastle, and gave up the race. Hinkler did not start owing to an accident to his machine prior to taking it to Croydon. Thirteen competitors left Glasgow and reached Manchester. Cobham was first to cross the line. Raynham was two seconds later, and Barnard third, nearly seven minutes behind. Courtney, after leaving Manchester for Bristol, returned owing to a fitting in the centre section breaking. Eleven reached Bristol. Raynham was 64 seconds ahead of Barnard, and Cobham was third, 274 seconds after Barnard. The concluding stage of 103 miles, from Bristol to Croydon, where a crowd of many thousands was waiting, was a thrilling race between Raynham and Barnard, the latter being favourite. Barnard left Bristol 64 seconds after Raynham, and overtook him on the Salisbury Plains, and reached Croydon 135 seconds ahead. Cobham was third, 574 seconds behind Raynham.

Barnard averaged 127 miles an hour for the 810 miles journey. He flew a /D.H. 4. a machine of 350 horse-power, entered by Sir Samuel Instone. Raynham flew his own Martynside, F 5, of 200 horse-power. Cobham flew a D.H. 9 8, of 320 horse-power. Eleven competitors reached Croydon. Barnard neither drinks nor smokes. He joined the Seaforth Highlanders at the outbreak of war as a ranker, subsequently joining the Flying Corps.—(A. and N.Z.)