THE CENTENARY FLIERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4413, 3 November 1934, Page 3

THE CENTENARY FLIERS.

McGREGOR- WALKER PERFORMANCE. London, November 1. The newspaper “Aeroplane” gives prominence to the performance of the New Zealanders, McGregor and Walker, saying that without detracting .from Scott’s splendid feat, McGregor’s flight, for sheer pluck, perseverance, endurance, and skilful piloting, is unsurpassed in the history of British aviation.. McGregor and Walker deserve to be regarded as the heroes of the race. They knocked -30 per cent, off the record for a light aei’oplane, despite open cockpits and the necessity for frequent landings. Hewett and Kay left Cloncurry yesterday at 2 p.m. for Cliarleville. Bad weather over Italy forced Waller and Jones to return to Athens yesterday. They landed at Tatoi, near Athens. Jones says that they flew sometimes at a height of 15,000 feet. It was the worst weather he ever encountered. They changed course in a fruitless attempt to dodge storms and lightning, but they were forced to return.

If Melrose does not share in the handicap prizes, Mr Ernest O’Sullivan, joint general manager of the English, Scottish and Australian Bank, intends to give him £4OO as a personal gift in recognition of the splendid achievement of tliC youngest pilot.

The “Daily Herald” says that Mr Mack Sennet, who is in England fi’om Hollywood, states that aviators Scott and Black have agreed to terms to make a film of the Mildenhall-Melbourne flight, embodying “a race for life.” The film, will be made in London. Mr. Sennett adds: “There must, of course, be a love interest.”

The Mollisons took off from Allahabad on their return to England yesterday for Karachi at 9.55 a.m. G.M.T.

KINGSFORD SMITH DELAYED. OIL LEAK DISCOVERED. Honolulu, November 1. As Sir Charles Kingsford Smith was preparing to take off for the last stage of his Pacific flight at noon to-day, an oil leak was discovered in his plane. Army mechanics late to-day found it necessary to remove a wing to make repairs. This will delay the flight until noon on Saturday. Sir Charles loaded 640 gallons this morning and installed a radio receiving set for the weather reports by radio beacon signals. Sandwiches, beef tea, and pineapple juice were placed in the aeroplane. The weather reports showed a tail wind at a high altitude, but cloudy weather here with head windsi below the clouds. The air was cleared of all aeroplanes for him before he announced the delay in his departure.