TO AFRICA BY AIR

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2339, 8 January 1926, Page 11

TO AFRICA BY AIR

LONDON TO THE CAPE. BRITISH EXPEDITION. , Mr. Alan Cobhnm, who left Croydon on November 16, o& a transAfrican flight to Capetown, in a de Haviland machine, has arrived at Wady Haifa (Southern Egypt). The expedition has been arranged with several objects in view. Primarily, a successful flight would demonstrate the great possibilities of air transport for rapid long distance communications. At the same time, by means of the camera, it will be possible to obtain an interesting account of the expedition, and to show the great opportunities tdv development which exist throughout tire immense territories through which the flight will pass—• the Soudan. Uganda, Kenya, Tanganyika, Rhodesia, and South Africa. With this object in view, special arrangements have been made with the Garment Company for a cinematographer to travel on the aeroplane and make a film of the whole flight for public exhibition. Imperial Airways, Ltd*, who are largely interested In the expedition, have commissioned Mr. Cobham to prepare a detailed survey of the countries through which he will pass, and to prepare a report on the possibilities of air transport developments. A Tried ’Plane. The H.D. 50 aeroplane, which Is being used is the one Mr. Cobham flew when he piloted Sir Sefton Brancker, Director of Civil Aviation, to Rangoon and back. For the present flight this machine has boon modified in various details; a 385 horsepower Armstrong Siddeley “Jaguar” engine has been installed in place of the 240 horsepower Siddeley “Puma” used on the Rangoon Flight. The aeroplane, therefore, will have greatly Increased horsepower, although owing to the efficiency of modern aero engine design, its weight will be increased by only a negligible margin. This 14-cyllnder air-cooled radial engine is considered of special suitability for aircraft operating In tropical countries. The fuel has been supplied by the British Petroleum Company, wTio have shipped supplies of B.P. spirit to the East African ports, from where it has been distributed to the various landing grounds to be used on the route. 'j/. Tha difficult organisation of distributing fuel and spare equipment has been undertaken and carried out most successfully by Plckfords, Ltd. The organisation of tho expedition has been specially assisted by C. C. Wakefield, Ltd., who have delivered supplies of Wakefield Caatrol Oil to every landing ground along the route of the flight. Private Enterprise. The expedition has been organised and financed entirely by private enterprise. The construction of the special de Haviland type 50 aeroplane its Siddeley “Jaguar” engine, and tho provision of all equipment, supplies, and finance required, have been accomplished by the united efforts of 21 companies. The engineer of the expedition is Mr. A. B. Elliott, and the cinematographer Mr. B. W. G. Emmott.