A NOTABLE FLIGHT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 283, 27 October 1934, Page 8

A NOTABLE FLIGHT

McGREGOR AND WALKER. NEW LIGHT ’PLANE RECORD. In an address delivered over the Manawatu Radio Club’s station, 2ZF, last evening, Mr W. A. Waters, formerly president of the Manawatu Aero Club, and a keen aviation enthusiast, said all would be delighted to hear of the . arrival in Australia of the Manawatu Aero Club’s Miles-Hawk cantiliver monoplane. He added that it could safely be said that the pilots, Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor and Mr H. C. Walker, had travelled from point to point with the regularity of an express train. They had lowered the old-established air records - from England to Darwin, made by Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith and Air C. T, P. Ulm. Sir Charles ICingsford Smith’s time for a solo flight had been 7 days, 4 hours, 43 minutes, and Mr Ulm’s time for his big ’plane had been 6 days, 17 hours, 45 minutes. Messrs McGregor and Walker had covered the distance in 5 days, 14 hours, 58 minutes, making a new light ’plane record. MIS-STATEMENT CORRECTED.

Several nights ago, commented Mr Waters, a speaker over a radio station in Melbourne made rather disparaging remarks about the club’s Miles Hawk ’plane by calling it a cheap machine, among other somewhat serious misstatements made” concerning the pilots. “1 would just like to put this -right,” added Air Waters, “by saying that the machine in the race is not the cheap model. It has the most expensive engine that can be fitted, which costs over £2OO more than for the engine usually fitted to light ’planes. The ’plane has been especially strengthened to stand battering in atrocious weather, and they have certainly met it on the route. It has a special, extra strong under-carriage, and before it sent them off in the race the committee felt that they must have the best of equipment that money could buy. The ’plane and engine cost £lll2, the extra tank £37, harness £9, navigating lights £3l, insurance £2OO, extra instruments, above standard, £125, making a total of £1514. I think that this expenditure for the smallest machine to face the starter in the race is not cheap. We, of the committee who ordered the machine felt that we had a grave responsibility to see that Messrs AlcGregor and Walker left England witfi every scientific device to guide them on their way under the worst possible weather conditions. We are naturally elated that this has proved correct by the unerring accuracy in the way they have arrived at each scheduled stopping place. Mr Walker has been studying navigation for a long time and he has done wonders as tlio navigator. “But while everyone is naturally delighted at the wonderful progress; that is not paying for the machine,” continued Air Waters. “Even if it realises the full amount, the art union will not pay for the ’plane. The committee are still anxious over the finance for the petrol, oil, travelling and other expenses, which make quite a substantial sum. I am sure you will all be willing to help, especially after the way Alessrs AlcGregor and Walker have done their hit. When they arrive in Melbourne, if arrangements in train are satisfactorily concluded, guns will be fired in the city and whistles blown and the fire brigade will turn out; also fife sirens will be sounded. The Pipe Band, which played them off at the station when they left, hope to turn out on Saturday evening in the Square to celebrate the climax.

“With regard to the stock drive, the farmers are responding really well. Alessrs Abraham and Williams will collect the stock and sell it free of charge. This stock drive is being organised by Messrs R. Linklater, D. F. Smillie, D. AlcDonald (Raumai), R. Tanner (Karere) and C. V. Day.”