AEROPLANES IN WAR.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 18 November 1911, Page 6

AEROPLANES IN WAR.

RETURN OF CAPTAIN WATT

WILL NOT FLY ACROSS

AUSTRALIA

FREMANTLE, Nor. 12. Travelling to the eastern States by the Moldavia is Captain Watt, of the New South Wales Scottish Rifles. The officer has been on a visit to Europe to undergo a course of instruction in aeroplaning, and he was successful in gaining his pilot's certificate. Captain Watt says that the time is rapidly approaching when aero corps will have to be inaugurated in connection with an Australian military defence scheme, and it is his intention to offer his services in that connection. While he has no aeroplane of his own, there is one at Sydney which will, he l>dlieves, be at his disposal. So far as te is aware, there are only three Australians who are qualified aeronauts. They are Bushel, a young man who was one of the finest flyers in England; Harrison, another young man of great capability; and himself. A rumour to the effect that he intended attempting to fly across Australia from Sydney to Fremantle was mentioned to Captain Watt, who replied emphatically, "Never dreamt of it; not so mad as all that."