TASMAN FLIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1933, Page 5

TASMAN FLIGHT

PLANE TESTED

KINGSFORD SMITH’S VENTURE.

Australian Press Association.)

SYDNEY, January 4

There was a trial flight of the Southern Cross to-day along the coast, over the sea, and back to the Mascot aercdiome with the lull crew, as well a,s Mr Neilson (Taranaki) aboard. Tlie flight gave a thoroughly satisfactory test.

Mr Stnnnage stated that the radio equipment, which was exhaustively tried out, functioned perfectly. Sir 0. Kingsford .Smith plans to leave Gerringong beach at dawn in order to complete the trip in daylight.

FINAL TEST ON SATURDAY.

(Received 11.0 a.m.) SYDNEY, January 5.

Kingsford Smith reports no complaints following the preliminary * test of the Southern Cross, adding that the “old bus” would undergo a thorough final test on Saturday.

EFFORT TO RESCUE WHELAN.

STILL MAROONED IN DESERT.

PERTH, January 4

A mossnge from the town of Forrest states that the attempt to rescue the old reef prospector, Mr Whelan, who has been marooned in Central Australia since his plane’s crash some time ago, could not be carried out to-day, owing to a defect in the petrol pipe in the airman Baker’s reconditioned plane, but a fresh attempt will be made at dawn to-morrow, when the fault 'has been remedied.

An Air Force machine flew over Whelan to-day and dropped a message informing him of the change in the plans. More food and water were provided. Whelan to-day seemed to be in better health than when he was last seen.

MR AND MRS MOLLISONS’ PLANS

FOR JOINT ATLANTIC FLIGHT.

LONDON, January 3

The “Evening Standard’’ says that Mollison and his wife are planning jointly to fly the North Atlantic, both ways, in the spring. Mollison states that the joint North Atlantic flight will follow his solo flight from Dakar to Rio De Janiero and back, aboard the “Heart’s Content.”

Later in the year, the husband and wife will make a double flight aboard biplane,

R.A.F. PLANE CRASHES

NEW ZEALANDER KILLED

(Received 9.50 a.m.)

LONDON, January 4.

A Rioyal Air Force pilot, a New Zealander, John Armstrong, flying a Bulldog machine, crashed at Blackmore when looping the loop. Eye witnesses declare that the plane nose dived and caught fire. Rescuers attempted to quench tile flames. It took ninety minutes to extricate Armstrong.

DANNEVIRKE, January 5. John Laurance Armstrong was the elder son of Major James Armstrong of Dannevirke and was in his 27tli. year. Ho proceeded to England in December, 1930, to join the Air Force. He was well known in the Dominion. He received his education at Heretaunga and Christ Colleges.