AIR RACE ’PLANES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 285, 30 October 1934, Page 7

AIR RACE ’PLANES

PROGRESS BY THE STODARTS,

NOW AHEAD OF HEWETT

AND KAY

NEW ZEALANDERS’ DAMAGED MACHINE.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received October 30, 9.25 a.m. CHARLEVILLE, Oct. 30.

The Stodart Bros., who arrived at Charlevillo at 6 p.m. yesterday from Cloncurry, which they left at 1.45 p.m., remained overnight. They were glad of the respite. They crossed the Timor Sea at night, which was the most worrying part of the trip. Half-way over they sighted the beams of the searchlight of the naval ship Moresby, which was a most wonderfully comforting feature. Questioned regarding the mishap to Hewett’s ’plane, the Stodarts said that apparently they tried to take off before dawn and had the misfortune to strike a fence. The ’plane was badly damaged and would take some time to repair. The mishap would probably put them out of the race.

The Stodarts continued their flight at 5.45 (load time) to-day and are now likely to finish sixth of all. the competitors.

DAMAGE TO MACHINE

AUCKLANDERS’ ILL FORTUNE

CHARLEVILLE, Oct. 29,

A report has been received from Cloncurry that the New Zealanders, Hewett and Kay, while taking off from Cloncurry this morning hit a fence and damaged one wing, cracked a spar, and damaged a rudder post. Repairs will probably occupy two days. Hewett and Kay reached Cloncurry at 2.30 p.m. yesterday. • Hewett stated that after reaching Melbourne he would fly back to Sydney, where he will await favourable weather for a flight from the Richmond Aerodrome to New Zealand. His aeroplane is capable of carrying eight passengers and the pilot.

TIME BEING COUNTED.

NO CHANCE IN RACE.

Received October 30, 10.15 a.m. CLONCURRY, Oct. 30. Hewett had taxied to the end of the aerodrome and was turning to enter the runway for the take-off ivhen the port wing of the pla.no struck a fenoe. The time taken in repairs will be counted as flying time, as the fliers had checked out when the smash occurred. They are now believed to have no chance in the handicap race.