Mollison Fined for Wild Flying in France

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 143, 20 June 1938, Page 5

Mollison Fined for Wild Flying in France

TERRIFIED BEACH CROWD. LONDON, June 6. The English aviator James Mollison was fined 350 francs for eccentric flying at Le Touquet, in France, during the Whitsun holiday. The matter has been reported to the Royal Aero Club. Mollison told the Daily Mail by telephone: “It was just a spot of exuberance. I felt good and left the airport bar, where I had had some drinks, and went waltzing round the sky. I do not know anything about terrifying Le Touquet. I had the machine—a 450 h.p. Stinson —under control throughout. I have done stunt flying in Australia, and what the spectators say I did is largely eyewash." The News-Chronicle asked Mollison whether his conduct accorded with his membership of the Oxford Group. He replied that it was a difficult problem; but that he had apologised to the French authorities. The Paris correspondent of the Daily Mail quotes eye-witnesses as saying that Mollison terrified the crowds on the beach with a loop dive. He turned sharply when 600 feet from the ground, lost speed, and avoided a crash by a miracle. Officials warned all aeroplanes by radio to keep clear, and rushed out an ambulance. They also telephoned doctors and nurses. M. Senechal, the director of the aerodrome, said: “Mollison, after drinking with Richard Fairey and the Maharaja of Kupurthala, dashed to his aeroplane, taxied about at a terrific speed, pulling up at intervals, and then headed for the cafe terrace. As people ducked under tables, I rushed off in a crash car to stop him. He made straight for me. 1 jumped out and lay flat on the ground. He then gave a fantastic display in the air, after which he remained silent in the cockpit for a quarter of an hour, and then had another drinx. After changing into evening dress, Mollison went to the Casino and played throughout the night. He won £4OO.