AVIATION.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 October 1931, Page 5

AVIATION.

SMITH S FLIGHT FINISHED. ARRIVAL AT HESTON. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.-Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.20 g,m.) , ' LONDON, Oct. 7. Air-Commodore Kingsford Smith has arrived at Heston. LEFT ROME IN GOOD SPIRITS. LONDON, Oct. 7. Kingsford Smith left Rome this morning in good spirits. IN A PARKLANE HOTEL ' “SMITHY’-’ TALKS AFTER HIS GRUELLING ORDEAL. WELCOMED AT HESTON BY NOTED FLIERS. (Received This. Day, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 7. Sitting in a luxurious suite in Dorchester House Hotel, Park Lane, overlooking Hyde Park, collarless and with the sleeves of his greasy blue sweater .j-olled up, Kinjgsford Smith to-night told the story of his adventurous flight from Wyndham, W.A., in which exasperating luck prevented his establishing a record for the solo flight. He looked remarkably well, considering the trying experiences he has undergone, but a deep coating of tan hid the' traces of what must have been a nerve-wrack-ing ordeal. “‘Smithy,” maintaining his Australian reputation as an “ express train,” punctually landed at Heston according to schedule, at 5.30. Those present to welcome him included Mollison, Oscar Garden, and Captain J. P. ‘Saul- (his navigator during the trans-Atlantic flight), Squadron-Leader Marsclen (representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand), Pilot Miss Jean Batten, -and Mrs Victor Bruce.