CENTENARY AIR RACE

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4409, 25 October 1934, Page 4

CENTENARY AIR RACE

TWO NEW ZEALANDERS KILLED.

CRASH IN SOUTHERN ITALY. London, October 22. The Fairey Fox aeroplane carrying the Ncav Zealanders, Messrs H. D. Gilman and J. K. C. Baines, when flying from Rome to Athens crashed in the perilous mountain region of Palazzo di San Gervasio, 90 miles from Foggia, South Italy. The machine burst into flames when it struck the ground and Gilman and Baines were burnt to death. The machine crashed only 100 yards’ from a provisional landing ground on a small plateau which the flyers were apparently trying to reach oAving to engine trouble. The bodies at present lie in an improvised chapelle ardente nearby. The bodies will probably be sealed in zinc coffins pending the arrival of relatives.

The Fairey Fox was a machine with a cruising speed of 200 miles an hour and a range of about 1750 miles.

FAMILY HEAR NEWS OVER THE RADIO. Audkland, October 23. Wlhen one of the family Avas reading aloAul from the morning paper the fact that all the NeAV Zealanders Averc still in the air race, flic blunt announcement came from the radio in the home of FlightLieutenant Gilman’s mother that he and his co-pilot had been killed. Little neAvs had been received by the airman’s family of his progress since the race started. Every radio announcement, was listened to eagerly Avith a certain degree of anxiety in the home of Mrs A. Macredie, of 51 Clarence St., Devonport. Two younger sisters and a younger brother crowded round the radio for every announcement. At 7 o’clock this morning Avhen the first announcement of the day came 0A r cr the air no mention Avas made of Gilman and Baines. The last Avord his mother had Avas that (he aviator and his companion had arrived at Athens and had left for Bagdad. Even that must have been Avrong for the airmen were killed in Italy.

Anxiously the little family group waited for the 8 o’clock relay from Wellington. Word of Scott first came over the air, then a pause. Again came the voice of the 2Y.A. announcer to say that two pilots had been killed. There Avere no details.

“It Avas the most cruel Avay to learn that he had gone,” said the mother this morning. “Although Ave Avere natm-ally anxious, Ave always thought he Avould get through. He avus a splendid, flyer, and had never had an accident of any kind. I don’t know Avhat avc Avill do Avithoufc him. He Avas a Avondcrful son.” It Avas Avith considerable pride that Flight-Lieutenant Gilman’s family learned that he Avas to be a starter in the race. He had written every Aveek to his mother and told hei' of his hopes. When Mr J. A. C. Allum, of Auckland, and Mr T. Lamont, a former Mayor of Devonport, were in London last year, the airman had dinner Avith them and on their return to Auckland they tried to- arrange financial hacking for the young airman’s venture in the big race. He Avas the first to suggest that Noav Zealand should be represented.

When the tAVo Auckland men failed to find finance for Lieutenant Gilman he made contact Avith Mr Baines, and it Avas the father of Mr Baines, a retired Indian Army colonel, 'who-found the money foi* the flight.

Lieutenant Gilman was the eldest son of the late Henry Gilman, of Wellington, and Mrs A. Macredie, of Devonport. He was the eldest of a family of two girls and two sons. He had been granted four months’ leave of absence from the Royal Air Force to take part in the centenary flight, and had arranged to handle some business connections of his late father in Australia before coming to Auckland to see his family. “He had said that if the plane went well on the flight to Australia, he would probably fly to New Zealand,” said his mother. “Now it is over.” Messages of sympathy arrived at the home of Lieutenant Gilman’s mother but probably the one she prized most was that from the Governor General, Lord Blcdisloe. It read: “Lady Blcdisloe and I are much distressed over the tragic news of the death of your gallant son, resulting from a flying accident. while taking part in the great air race. We send to you and other members of your family our deepest sympathy in your sorrow.” Official confirmation came in a cable message from the air race control committee. They extended their sympathy and asked for any instructions. “We must have him brought home,” said Mrs Maeredie. “We must have that.” Later further confirmation came from the Royal Aero Club. The cable offered the club’s regrets and sympathy.

BAINES WELL KNOWN IN THE ' MANAWATU. Formerly of Taihape, Mr J. K. C. Baines was trained by the Manawatu Aero Club several years ago, and qualified at Milsom for his A ticket. He showed flying ability and since he left the Manawatu, added considerably to his experience. He acquired an Avro Avian machine from the Wellington Club and subsequently sold it to Mr L. McGaflin, a Palmerston N. pilot, who has it

stationed at the Milsom aerodrome. Mr Baines was about thirty years of age. He left Noaa - Zealand for England last April. His brother, Mr H. C. Baines, is a farmer at Ncavbury. Mr Baines Avas a native of England but spent about four or five years in New Zealand. A younger brother was killed six months ago Avhen cleaning a rifle. IntervioAved by the Fiji Times at Suva on Tuesday, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith said: “A stout shoAving on Scott’s part. I am vcrA glad to see it. I have a shade more horse-poAver and could probably have bettered his time, but I Avas handicapped by the petrol loading they alloAved me. I am disgruntled at the load the Comet Avas alloAved to carry. The Comet is built to get off the ground fast, but reports had stated that it had’been very sloav. I myself get off very fast Avith a big load of petrol.” The Daily Express, referring to the tragic death of Gilman x and Baines, says: “Gallant Gilman and Baines. They aslked too much of their machine, like many other pilots in this race, but avc honour the offenders. The sea has been bridled and the sky Avill be subdued by men avlio had no more hope of success than Gilman and Baines.”