London--N.Z. Flight Ends at Milson

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 268, 15 November 1934, Page 7

London--N.Z. Flight Ends at Milson

’Plane Slightly Damaged in Night Landing

Aviators Recount Experiences of Record Tasman Crossing

Land First Sighted at Westport

Completing the first London to New Zealand air flight, Squadron-Leader J. D. Hewett and Flying-Officer C. E. Kay, Auckland competitors in the Centenary air race, reached Milson aerodrome at 8.4 p.m. last evening. In making the landing in the dark they had the misfortune to slightly damage their D.H. Dragon Rapide machine by coming to rest against a wire fence. It was an annoying finish to an otherwise magnificent fii ght. The damage consists of a bent tip to the port propeller and a burst tyre on the wheel skid, both of which can be easily repaired. Apart from being dog-tired from the mental strain of a long flight over water, the airmen are well. Shortly after landing they were quartered at their hotel enjoying the second hearty meal of the day, the first having been partaken of in Australia—an early breakfast. The intention of the aviators was to make for Mangere, Auckland, and they attribute their being so far south when they struck New Zealand to- being unable to take drift readings.

With 260 gallons of petrol aboard, enough for 14 hours flying, and a favourable weather report, the aviators left Richmond ’drome, Sydney, at 5.45 a.m. Australian time—for Mangere. The machine took off very easily, in fact Squadron-Leader .Hewett said it could have lifted twice the load, it was anticipated that the weather would be rough for the first few hours and this proved to be the case. The weather was fair at Sydney, but it was not long before the ’plane ran into the heavy stuff and was bucked about considerably. Rain showers added to the discomfort of the situation. The engines were functioning perfectly and to increase the range of visibility Hewett, who was at the controls all the way, took .the Dragon down low over the water. He flew it just above the waves for about three hours. All this time the weather was rough, but-if the meteorologist’s report was to be relied upon—and it was—it could not be very long, they thought, before they would strike clearer weather. Within four hours the. conditions improved as predicted, and the pilot decided to climb to 5000 feet. The day was much finer up there and they flew above the clouds for another two hours. Unfortunately above the clouds they were not able to estimate the amount of drift and they drifted south but how far they could not judge. From that on the weather continued fine.

The airmen knew before they left that they would have rough weather for the first few hours, but they were unable when above the clouds to anticipate how much drift to allow for. In a flight of this nature it is rv,orthy of note that if the machine gets off its bearings in the early stages, the error becomes accentuated the further it flies. Another matter worthy of note is that for the three hours the plans was low off the water the wind was N.N.L That was expected, but at 50U0 feet it was westerly. On Tuesday night they went to bod like ordinary people and enjoyed a good sleep. When they got. up early yesterday morning they had a spot oi breakfast and then were away. For a night landing the flares arc so arranged that the pilot can tell at a glance the direction of the wind, the line he should follow in making the binding, where he should first touch ground, and the distance in which he should pull up. Humours of landings and intended landings were rife in Palmerston North last evening, but all doubts were set at rest when the lights of the D.H. Dragon Rapide appeared over the city with the plane heading for Milson. It was only a matter of moments before all available cars were speeding towards the drome, and within ten minutes Setter’s road was jammed with traffic.

been cut in the roof of the plane to enable a quick exit.. Other safety equipment includes three collapsible boats. A big tank in the centre of the plane which carries extra gasoline, takes up so much room that the pilots have to crawl into the control seats. Once there they are out of sight of the wireless operator, but a “house” telephone will keep them in touch.

Asked what their plans were, Squad-ron-Leader Hewett stated that ho could not say—that it would possibly depend upon the time required to repair the ’plane.

First Sight of New Zealand. Shortly before 5 p.m. they got their first sight of land and discovered a little later that it was the high country behind and just south of Westport. At 5.30 they were over the lighthouse near Westport. They turned north and followed the coastline till hear Farewell Spit where they changed direction and flew across Golden Bay to Blenheim, having considered the advisability of landing there. Hewett added here: “And it wasn’t a bad idea, either.”

Thoughts of Landing. Over Blenheim they decided to push on north, possibly to Auckland, and made contact with the North Island at Paekakariki. It was getting dark by now and they decided to land at IMilson aerodrome, Palmerston North. They sighted Palmerston North and hew over the city, easily picking up the aerodrome, where officers of the Manawatu Aero Club had made preparations for the night landing by setting out the regulation flares. The machine, lit up with navigation lights, circled the ’drome three times before Squadron-Leader Hewett glided down for a closer look. He then went up again and swung- into position for the landing which he made, but overshot. The result was that he did not have sufficient room in which to pull up, and the machine breasted a fence at the eastern end of the ’drome, causing the damage already enumerated. W 7 ith another chain only to work in it would have been a perfect landing.

Record Flight The flight of nine and three-quarter hours from coast to coast is a record one, and throughout the machine behaved perfectly, the engines never giving the slightest anxiety. Although Palmerston North had hoped that the aviators would land at Milson during the afternon or early evening, when word was received that they had been sighted over Westport, it was considered that Hewett would made for one of the nearer dromes. It was at very short notice that the drome at Milson was prepared for a, night landing, on receipt of a telephone message from Squadron-Leader T. M. Wilkes, Director of Air Services, Wellington. Flares were hurriedly set out, but' Hewett later said they were not the best for night landing, floodlights being preferable. The navigation was in the hands of Flying-Officer Kay while Mr F. Stewart operated the radio. Part of the equipment was a radio telephone with j 'a range of 150 miles.

Intended Heading for Egmont THREE COLLAPSIBLE BOATS CARRIED SYDNEY, Nov. 14. Squadron-Leader Hewett, FlyingOfficer Kay and Mr. Stewart (wireless operator) hopped off at 6 o’clock this morning for Auckland. Only a. few pressmen and members of the air force were present to see the plane make an excellent take off. Hewett intends heading for Mt. Egmont, then to follow the coast line to Auckland. Latest weather reports indicate that conditions are not favourable on the western half of the flight, but on the eastern half the fliers should strike good flying weather. j

To provide against being forced down into the sea a manhole has

Blenheim Disappointed CROWDS FLOCK AERODROME Ter Press Association. BLENHEIM, Last Night. The receipt of advice from the Tainui that it intended to land at Blenheim for. the night was the signal for an im-

mediate exodus from Blenheim and the surrounding district to the aerodrome to welcome the fliers, who were assured of a most cordial reception. At 7 o’clock Benopai station, 25 miles southwest of Blenheim, reported that the plane had passed over and four minutes later it crossed the aerodrome at a great height, obviously headed for Palmerston North or Wellington, whereupon Marlborough swallowed its disappointment and returned homo to await later news of its arrival at Palmerston North, where the airmen will bo formally welcomed oji behalf of the Marlborough Aero Clug by ZK-AAA, one of the local machines, which proceeded there for the purpose this morning.

Before their departure Hewett said “It is the easiest way of getting home. ’ ’ An earlier message stated that the fliers wero ready to leave Richmond aerodrome at 4 o’clock this morning, when they discovered a defect in the compass, which was being adjusted.

Aucklanders Seek Money Back DISAPPOrNTMENT AT MANGEKE Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. About 2000 spectators assembled at the Mangere aerodrome, hoping to see the airmen land after their flight across the Tasman, and all went home very disappointed. Stunt flying amused the crowd during the afternoon. News was received at 0 o’clock that the airmen had gone off their course and flares were prepared in case of a night landing. Later, however, it was announced that the fliers had landed at Palmerston North, and the crowd then dispersed, some demanding their money back. Relatives of the airmen assembled at Mangere to welcome the party, and although disappointed at the fact that the fliers did not reach Auckland, they were overjoyed that the crossing had been accomplished safely. Among the relatives present were Mrs. J. D. Hewett, Mrs. M. Hewett (SquadronLeader Hewett’s mother) and the airman’s son and daughter, Mrs. C. E. Kav, Mr. and Mrs. D. Kay (parents of Flying Officer Ivay) and Mrs. F. Stewart. On their arrival at Mangere the ladies of the party were presented with bouquets. Miss Freda Thompson ON THE WING AGAIN DARWIN, Nov. 14. Miss Freda Thompson, having repaired her aeroplane at Tennant’s Creek, left there with Pilot Owen as escort and later arrived at Newcastle Waters.

Circled Over Westport DISAPPOINTMENT AT NONLANDING Per Press Association. WESTPORT, Last Night. When it was realised that a plane overhead was that of Hewett and Kay, disappointment was expressed that it did not land on the racecourse or beaches to establish a record for a Tasman record flight. The plane circled twice over the town at G p.m. before steering north and then cast, apparently to follow the Buller river in the direction of Nelson or Blenheim. The machine flew low over the middle of the town and its distinguishing marks were picked up by followers of the aviators’ progress both in the Centenary and Tasman flights. The roar of the engine was quite distinct from any of the low-powered planes that have hitherto visited these parts. The plane was going so well that she might have been just setting out on her journey of li’OO miles, instead of nearing its close. , It is noteworthy that Guy Menzies, the only solo flier of the Tasman, and C. T. P. Ulm, tin associate of Kingsford Smith in some of his notable flights, were swung in this direction, which may point, to a notable future for Westport in aviation.

Waller and Jones Off After Record TO CAPE TOWN IN COMET (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Nov. 13. Messrs Cathcart Jones and Kenneth Waller have provisionally fixed Sunday at dawn for the start of their proposed record-breaking flight to Cape Town in the de Havilland Comet in which they recently made a flight to Australia and back. They will' carry sufficient fuel for a non-stop flight of 2900 miles, and propose to fly via the Sahara Desert and Nigeria down the west coast of Africa. Scott and Black Leaving for Home MACHINE BEING SHIPPED Received Wednesday, 10.20 p.m. SYDNEY, Nov. 14. Scott and Black, the air race winners, left by train for Adelaide, where they will board the Orford for Loudon. Their machine is now open for inspection in Sydney. It is being shipped to England at a later date. Sir Abe Bailey Approves LONDON, Nov. 13. Sir Abo Bailey told the Daily Mail lie had received a cable trom the Mayor of Cape Town asking whether he would sponsor an air race from London to Cape Town. “I am shortly announcing my decision,” said Sir Abe. "I am willing to do anything to assist South Africa. 1 believe the event will be generally popular.'’

Kingsford Smith’s Plans LONDON-AUSTRALIA PLIGHT Received Wednesday, 9.10 p.m. OAKLAND, Nov. 13. A flight from New York to Australia via London was hinted as a possibility by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith today before he took off in the Lady Southern Cross for Los Angeles. He hopes to sell the plane and if his present negotiations arc carried through,

he will soon be making another long flight. A London-Australia flight is fairly definite, he indicated, but whether he would make an Atlantic hop depended upon his backers.

Another Air Race BRITAIN TO SOUTH ATRICA AND BACK. CAPE TOWN, Nov. 13. Plans are afoot here for a spectacular air race next year from Britain to South Africa and back on the lines of the Macßobcrtson race. ' The race will be most colourful and a feature of the lavish celebrations next year of both the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Union of South Africa, and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the King’s accession to the Throne.

London to Australia Air-mail TWO MACHINES NOW IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, Nov. 14. Two large de Havilland biplanes for the Brisbane-Singapore section of the London-Australia air mail service are now in Australia, the second machine having reached Darwin. Two more are being shipped from London, and a fifth is b,eing flown to Australia '■bout the middle of December,