WORLD’S RECORD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 47, Issue 2665, 3 September 1937, Page 8

WORLD’S RECORD

ALTITUDE OVER TEN MILES ROYAL AIR FORCE OFFICER.

A world altitude record of 10 miles 379 yards was established recently hy Flight Lieutenant M. T. Adams, of the Royal Air Force. The new altitude is 2575 feet greater than the figure reached by the Italian pilot Lieut.-Col on el Mario Pezzi in

May, and 3993 feet more than the height previously achieved by Squadron Leader Swain. Flight Lieutenant Adams used an Air Force experimental Bristol 138 plane with a special Pegasus engine, and attained his altitude in 135 minutes.

An alarming incident occurred when the plane was near “ceiling.” Flight Lieutenant Adams heard a loud crack overhead, but the shape of his helmet prevented him from looking up. Later he saw the end of a large crack in the

transparent roof of the sealed cabin,

which had probably been caused by contraction in the intense cold. Fortunately there was no harmful result.

This is the second occasion on which, the Royal Air Force has successfully attempted to break the altitude record. The aircraft, engine and special equipment are of British design and manufacture. The plane took off from the aerodrome at Farnborough, Hampshire, at 5.40 a.m., and landed there at 7.55 a.m. There was a clear sky and practically no wind when the ascent began.