SPLENDID TRIBUTE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 288, 2 November 1934, Page 9

SPLENDID TRIBUTE

TO MANAWATU AIRMEN. “UNSURPASSED IN HISTORY.” THEIR HEROIC FLIGHT. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received November 2, 10.20 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 1. The newspaper Aeroplane gives prominence to Messrs McGregor and Walker’s performance in the air race, saying that, without detracting from Messrs Scott and Black’s splendid feat, Messrs McGregor and Walker’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 'plane, despite having an open cockpit and the necessity for frequent landings,” the paper adds. THE HANDICAP RACE. ANNOUNCEMENT TO-DAY. MELBOURNE, Nov. 1. An unofficial check of the positions in the centenary handicap race reveals that Scott will probably have the shortest time after deducting handicaps, but as he is eligible to receive only the one prize, Parmentier is likely to be first in the handicap event. Turner will then be second in the speed race, and Waller third. An announcement of tlie handicap result will be made to-morrow.

DANES AT MELBOURNE

THE EIGHTH ARRIVAL,

MELBOURNE, Nov. 1

Hansen and Jensen, who arrived this morning, take eighth place in the air race. They intend to remain for 10 days, and fly back to Copenhagen. The New Zealand aviator, S. G. White, arrived at Sydney this afternoon on the completion of a tourist flight from London. WALLER AND JONES. HELD BY WEATHER. Received November 2, 9.40 a.m. ATHENS, Nov. 1. Bad weather in Italy has forced Waller and Jones to return. They landed at Tatoi, near Athens. They had left for London at 5.25 a.m. Waller and Jones say they flew sometimes at a height of 15,000 feet in the worst weather ever encountered. They changed their course, fruitlessly _ • attempting to dodge the storms of lightning, and were forced to return here. Brook and Miss Lay have left for Aleppo. CAPTAIN STACK. BACK IN ENGLAND. Received November 2, 9.40 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 1. Captain Neville Stack has returned to Heston. He abandoned his air race flight at Athens. MOLLISONS RETURNING. ALLAHABAD, Nov. 1. The Mollisons took off for Karachi at 9.55 a.m. G.M.T. PROPOSAL ABANDONED. RACE ACROSS TASMAN. Per Press Association.

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 1. The idea of an air race across the Tasman was abandoned altogether at a public meeting called to-day by the Deputy-Mayor (Rev. J. K. Archer). The meeting was opposed to the suggestion that , guarantees • should be given to pilots considering a tour of the Dominion, and considerable resentment was expressed at the remarks of the president of the New Zealand Aero Club (Mr G. M. Spence), who had doubted the safety of the race. The meeting was attended by only 12 persons, who included officials of the Canterbury Aero Club and prominent pilots.

THE FIRST PRIZE.

AIRMEN TO GET THE ’PLANE,

Mr A. O. Edwards, their backer, has given Messrs C. W. A. Scott and T. Campbell Black the D.H. Comet ha which they won the air race. Mr Edwards said that his contract with the winners was signed before the machine left England and had no winning or losing clauses. “The terms are better than a 50-50 basis,” ho said, “but I keep the trophy.” Mr Edwards is Icaviing for Johannesburg and England on November 3, so Scott will be presented with both the cheque and the cup by the Prince on November 10 at the aerial pageant to be held at Laverton aerodrome. Mr Edwards felt that his share of the £IO,OOO prize had recompensed him for the £SOOO purchase price and heavy preliminary expenses, and he passed the Comet on. Scott and Black have not made plans for their own departure, but it may be stated that they will not fly back.