PACIFIC RECORD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 191, 15 July 1941, Page 6

PACIFIC RECORD

AMERICAN PLANES. FERRIED TO AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY. July 9. It was revealed this week, not only that American Catalina long-range Ilyingboats, purchased by Australia, aire now on coastal patrol here, and that they are being "ferried" here by Australian pilots across the Pacific, but that one Australian crew who brought one of the big craft to Australia in four days seven hoiirs did not realise they had established a trans-Pacific record. The previous best time was that on the original trans-Pacific flight by the late Sir Charles Kingst'ord Smith and C. T. P. Ulm, who crossed the ocean ill eight days 23 hours. But much of that time was taken up waiting for the best weather conditions.

The Catalina crew who set the new record were Captain Lester Brain, operations manager for Qantas Empire Airways, Captain P. G. Taylor, navigator. * and Captain G. U. ("Seotty") Allen. It has been revealed that they established the record on a trip in February. They had no intention of doing it when they reached tho last port of call where normally they would have rested 24 hours, but they received a good weather report and decided to continue to Australia.

Qantas officials emphasised generously that their feat could not be compared to that of Kingst'ord Smith and Ulm. who first conquered the Pacific by air without automatic pilots, radio direction finders, or proper weather and ground organisation. The Catalina crew had the benefit of all Pan-American Airways' work since then. The officials said their job was safe routine flying, and records could actually bo embarrassing to them. However, flying men are discussing the likelihood of a two or three-day transPacific air service between Australia and America after the war. The Catalinas are high-wing monoplanes, with a range of 4000 miles, cruising speed of lb" 0 m.p.h., and top speed of 105 m.p.h.