Aviatiion Activities At MILSON and ELSEWHERE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7486, 9 June 1934, Page 8

Aviatiion A cti vities At MILSON and ELSEWHERE

The Aero Club still continues to maintain its good average, tho total hours dono for tho past fortnight -being 30 hours 40 minutes. The total number of hours flown by the Alauawatu Club with one machino exceeds in many cases that of other clubs with two or three machines, which speaks volumes for the running of the club and tho popularity of tho instructor, Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor. Three cross-country flights wore made this week, Squadron-Leader AleGrcgor, with Air L. Fairhall as passenger, visiting Hamilton and returning the following day after passing the half-yearly medical examination. On Saturday last Squadron-Leader AlcGregor attended a rally at tho Hood aerodrome, Alasterton, and on Wednesday Air A. Honcyfiei'd flew ABV to Wellington and returned tho same day. Visitors during tho week were Squadron-Leader Isitt in a Government Alotli and Air E. Harvic in Avro Avian ZKACM. A landing competition during the week-end was won by Pilot H. C. Walker with the good averago of 4} yards. Centenary Air Race With the entries closed for the greatest event in aviation to date, speculation is already rifo as to who will win. Although the- full list of entrants and machines has not yet been published, those that have provido much food for thought, as tho known entrants include many famous names in aviation. At present the American contingent with their long-rango and high-speed machines, seem to command tho greatest attention, but those who have first-hand knowledge of tho routo must necessarily have a great advantage provided they procure tho right machine. Great hopes are centred round the British mystery planes, the D.H. Comets, at least three of which arc certain starters, and all threo wili be flown by pilots who have already been over the route to Australia. These are Air and Airs J. A. Alollisou, Messrs C. W. A. Scott and T. C. Black, Messrs Bernard Rubin and Ken Waller, who recently mado an unofficial record in a Leopard Aloth. Mr Rubin is a wealthy pastoralist and sportsman, about 37 years of age. As the performance of the Comet is as yet unknown, but is guaranteed by the Do Ilavilland Company to cruiso at 200 in.p.li., it will be seen that theso pilots must be taken as having an excellent chance. None of tho other British entrants have an outstanding performance at present, therefore their hope must be centred on tho handicap event. Tho American machines havo long range combined with high speeds as in the case of Clyde Pangborn’s Vance Flying Wing, with an estimated speed of 200 m.p.h. and a non-stop range of 7000 miles. This machine is a new design and has yet to bo proved. Frank Kintz is flying a Northrop “Gama’’ with a top speed of 250 m.p.h. and a rango of 5000 miles. Wiley Post flics his famous “Winnio Alao,” which will bo fitted with superchargers giving sea level efficiency at 2S,oooft. This machino established a round-the-world record of seven days IS hours. James Weddell, the holder of tho world’s lundplanc record of 305 m.p.h., will fly his Wcddcll-Wil-liams, which should cruise at over 200 but will possibly not havo tho range of the other Americans, though it will none tho less bo a tough proposition. There aro many other Amc-

rican entrants and machines, notably tho Lockheed Altair, one of which will be flown by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. Here wc havo a combination which may be heard of at the finishing post. With ‘‘Smithy’s’’ excellent knowledge of tho route and conditions, combined with the speed and range of tie machine, a Britisher may yet bring home the prize. Entrants from other countries must not be overlooked, as wo know little or nothing of their machines at present. Italy has a habit of turning out surprise packets, and Captain Baldi, with lijs Caproni monoplane reputed to be capable of an average speed of 200 m.p.li., is yet to be heard from when the race starts. Then there are the Dutch Air-Mail pilots, who fly regularly over the major portion of tho route, aud one of whom recently flew from Amsterdam to Batavia in four days four hours 40 minutes, and returned in 10 minutes under that timo in a Fokker tri-motor transport, a distance of 17,000 miles, which usually occupies IS days. Two of theso pilots will fly a Douglas air liner with a cruising speed of 200 m.p.h. So here is surely a force to be reckoned with. Two Dutch Air Force pilots will pilot a Pander Postjagor monoplane, a fast new machine as yet little known. Colonel Fitzmaurice, of tho Irish Free State, has entered a Bellanca low-wing monoplano with a range of 3000 miles. There are many other entrants whoso chances must bo good, but at tic time of writing details arc meagre, but includo the names of most of those who will bo much favoured as a possible winner. Tho entrants who have already flown over the route aro as follow:—Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, at least six times; Mr James Mollison, once; Mrs Amy Mollison, once; Mr C. W. A. Scott, once; Mr Bernard Rubin and Ken Waller, once; Flying-Officer Cyril Kay, once; Sir Alan Cobliam, once. These, as you will see, are all British entrants, and as none of the American or other foreign entrants with tho exception of tho Dutch pilots have flown tho route, they must necessarily have a decided advantage. Whether this advantage will be overcome by the extra speed of the foreign entries or not, remains for the great day to decide. Much speculation is taking place as to tho time the winner will take. The distance from London to Melbourne bv the route chosen js 11,162 miles. Taking a non-stop flight at an averago speed of 200 m.p.h. this would take approximately 2 days H hours. Allowing for compulsory stops, head winds, engine repairs and a thousand and ono things that may crop up, if tho winner does it in three days it will be a remarkable performance. Time alone will toll. On tlie above information the favourites for tho race will probably be Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, Wiley Post, C. W. A. Scott, tho Mollisons, and the Dutch Douglas air liner. To attempt to pick tho winner at this juncture is hopeless, as until the machines leave the starting lino the starters aro indefinite, and the performance figures will not be revealed until the last minute. With regard to tho Manawatu entrant in tho handicap, if tho necessary finance is forthcoming, the Miles Hawk on performance should stand just as good a chance as any, but to even conjecture as to tho winner of this event is impossible.