SCOTT HARD TO CATCH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 278, 22 October 1934, Page 8

SCOTT HARD TO CATCH.

UNDERCARRIAGE TROUBLES. ON COMET ’PLANES. Received October 22. 12.55 p.m. LONDON, Oct, 21. Barring accidents, it will be hard to catch C. W. A. Scott (Australia), hut it is significant that Parmentier (Holland) contemplates running his engines full out after Singapore. The Douglas air liner goes to the HollandBatavia service after the race, consequently Parmentier is unwilling to drive the costly machine so hard that an extensive overhaul will be necessary, nevertheless the temptation is strong and with Holland’s speed entry hors rlo combat, Parmentier, who is magnificently equipped, may yet make a race of it. He must, however, follow the ordinary mail route owing to his shorter range than tho Comet.

Parmentier’s performance is admirable. As the Daily-Express editorially says, it is like seeing a Bolls Rovce speeding round Brooldnnds with the passengers sitting back competing against racing models stripped down to accommodate only the driver and mechanic. The Daily Express adds that paradoxically. it is one of the greatest assets of high-speed flying which is causing the most trouble to tho leaders in the race, namely, the retractible undercarriage, defects in which held up the Mollisons and caused Gevsendorffer’s crash. Cathcart-Jones’s accident was of a similar character at Mildenliall. which, hut for the enthusiasm of the backer and the efficiency of tho manufacturers’ speedy repairs, would have kept him out of the race. The Mollisons’ reluctance to proceed until they were confident the undercarriage was working properly can be quite appreciated, for the seating arrangement of the Comets does not allow tho pilots to see whether the “legs” are up or down, consequently unless they are absolutely convinced the wheels are retracting according to the indicator the pilots will be a prey to doubt. It is a tribute to Geysendorffer’s skill that he landed with a

collapsed undercarriage without injury to tlie crew.

None ,of the fast machines risked a direct course over the mountains between Bagdad and India. Even Scott entered India south of the North-West Frontier.

“It is very dusty here,” he had complained on his arrival at Kirkuk. “No wonder,” replied Air Force members, “the Mollisons have just left!” Scott confessed he did not like that dust. Scott's Aero Club admirers here have cabled enthusiastic congratulations to him. RECORD SPEEDS.

Alter leaving Mildenliall lie covered 7000 miles, equalling the distance to New York and back, in 39 hours 50 minutes, including refuelling—two days less than C. T. P. Ulm’s record. The Mollisons’ time to Karachi was 22 hours, 16 minutes, as against the previous record of 50 hours. This reveals the possibility of regular one-day flights to India. While the performance of the Douglas air-liner, a veritable hotel, eclipses any previous commercial performance, it indicates an early chance of a regular seven-day service to Australia.