ROOF OF THE WORLD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 77, 13 March 1933, Page 11

ROOF OF THE WORLD

EVEREST EXPEDITION FLIGHT OVER THE SUMMIT. MORE THAN SIX MILES HIGH. London, Feb. 3. Climbing to a height gieater than any aeroplane carrying two occupants has ever previously reached, tho ‘■Houston-Westland” biplane, purchased lor the flight over the summit of Mount Everest, successfully completed its ‘‘acceptance”trials and is now ready for shipment to India. With Mr H. J. Penrose, chief test pilot of the Westland Company, at the controls and Air-Commodore P. F. M. Fellowes, leader of tho expedition, in the observer’s cockpit, the aeroplane went up to a level where the thermometers registered more than 100 degrees of frost and the air was so thin that without the oxygen-breathing apparatus the fliers would rapidly have died. At the highest point the barograph registered 38,800 feet ; this was later corrected in calculation, after making allowance for prevailing temperature and atmospheric pressure, to slightly more than 45,000 feet. The contract between the constructors and the expedition stipulated a “ceiling” of 34,000 feet, a condition which, there, foie, was easily fulfilled. The aeroplane carried the full load of fuel and equipment which will be needed for the actual flight over the world’s highest mountain. When it left the ground it weighed 4870 pounds. Tho greatest height was reached in 74 min. utes from the start, and there in a few minutes of level flight, a speed of 140 miles an hour was maintained —a noteworthy achievement for aircraft and engine in atmospheric conditions that prevented the motor from developing more than a fraction of full power. “EVERYTHING 0.K.” Though the temperatures experienc. ed were actually lower than need be expected in flight over Everest pilot and observer were comfortable in their electrically-heated clothing, and the oxygen gear worked admirably. Mr Penrose declared that the controls worked perfectly, and that ho was warm enough to take off his goggles during the long descent. Clouds over tho aerodrome at Yeovil lay in a single

bank at about 4090 feet up; at its service “ceiling” the aeroplane flew more than 30,000 feet above them. The following day Squadron-Leader the Marquess ot Clydesdale, chief pilot of the expedition, himself took the “Houston-Westland” to more than 30,000 feet, accompanied by Lieuten-ant-Colonel L. V. S. Blacker, who will be chief observer on the flight over the Himalayas. He found “everything 0.K.” and the work of dismantling tho craft for packing was begun immediate, ly after his descent. POWER FOR THE CLIMB. Heart of the aeroplane, and most important mechanical partner in the enterprise is the Bristol “Pegasus” super-charged 5.3. radial engine. Dosigned especially for high altitude work, it delivers its maximum output of 580 horse-power at a height of 13,500 feet, enabling power to be main, tamed at a high level even in the thin air above .30,000 feet. This attribute of the engine is reflected in the rapid climb to great heights of the heavilyi laden expedition aeroplanes; calculaI tions show that the machine should fly ’ over the peak of Everest at a height ■of somfe 35,000 feet within about 80 minutes of leaving tho base aerodrome at Purnea. nearly 150 miles away. The objects of this great aerial adventure are threefold—conquest of Everest, aerial survey, photography and mapping of the mountain and its surroundings, and a demonstration that even the world’s highest peak is not an insurmountable barrier to air transport. Further, successful accomplishment of tho flight will do much to enhance British national prestige and the reputation of British aircraft and aero engines.