AFTER RECORD

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1938, Page 6

AFTER RECORD

ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA. BROADBENT PLANS NEW EFFORT LONDON,-Feb. 21:It is announced that Mr H. F. Broad bent is completing preparations for a new attack 3 bn the solo fiignt record from Lympne to Darwin, and also the world’s solo record from Lya.piie to Sydney. The . airman’s attempt will he made under the uspices of the Federation ■ Internationale Aeronautique, winch demands a speed equal to at least ometres an hour for the elapsed time oct.ieeu the departure and arrival over' • the shortest possible route, which, for obvious reasons, will not be taken. Mr Broadbent may lower the light aeroplane record between England anti Australia of 5 days 15 hours, mhde by McGregor and Walker in the Melbourne Centenary air race. He has pert chased a Pereira 1 Vega Gull especially for the attempt. The machine is now being completed at Luton. The eiigu-u is a Gipsy six, second scries, with a controllable pitch propellor, built by DoHaviliatid, and the construction is wholly British. The aeroplane will carry 204 gallons of ! petrol—94 in the wings and 110 in the cabin—and will'cruise at 130 t 0135 miles an hour' with full tanks', but at 150 miles an hour when fitted as a normal four-seater. These speeds correspond with the'speeds of Miss Jean Batten’s machine, in which she broke the record., . ' Mr Broadbent, to harmonise the attempt with the 150th anniversary"celebrations, has christened the machin'o Sirius. The four-seater cabin is almost fflle« by the tariks, leaving one riartow seat. The machine is fitted'with a special parachute door and equipment, landing lights, navigation liglvLs, blind-flying instruments, and a* special compass. Mr Broadbent explains that an ordinary compass grows very small to the . eye during a long flight. The best time for the flight would be in April, when there' will be' & , ful! nioou. but Mr Broadbent is frying to arrange to start on li>, leaving Lympie aerodrome at 3 p.m.., aha ‘ keeping to the following itinerary Arrive” Athens, 5 p.m.; leave; Athens, Second day, 3. Tim ; p m . •:leave 7' p.m.! arrive I third day, 1 a.ni.; depart 9ipiq rive Alor Star fourth day, 4 p.nl., de part fifth day, 3 a-m.; arrive Rambang 1.5 p.m..; depart 9 p.m.;, arrive D sixth day, 6 a.m.