Centaurus’ Ten-Hour Tasman Hop

Northern Advocate, 11 January 1938, Page 3

Centaurus’ Ten-Hour Tasman Hop

(Received 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day

Setting out in the dawn yesterday morning, the Imperial Airways flyingbeat Centaurus arrived at Sydney yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock, ten hours having sufficed to cover the journey of 1300 miles.

Without as much fuss as a small Moth aeroplane, the Centaurus slipped into the port and made a graceful landing in Rose Bay.

The weather on the (light across the Tasman was fine, hot and clear. A waiting crowd of more than 3000 people was taken by surprise, the giant machine coming from an unexpected direction over Bondi and gliding almost noiselesly on to the water. Captain Burgess Mobbed.

The “Sun” reports that Captain Burgess was mobbed, several women endeavouring to kiss him. He described the flight a.s uneventful. and the weather as mostly pleasant, with occasional patches of cloud. ’ The official party which met the Centaurus included the Assistant-Min-ister of Customs, Mr J. Perkins, and the Controller of Civil Aviation, Captain E. C. Johnson.

The Minister of Customs. Mr White, who came as a passenger in the Centaurus, looked fit and fresh. He said the trip had been, extremely comfortable, and he had thoroughly enjoyed a two-way radio conversation with the Australian Collector of Customs, which had been arranged by a Sydney commei’cial radio station. Mr White paid a warm tribute to Captain Burgess and the crew. Steered by Radio.

Captain Burgess, who had talks with Captain Johnson and others, said the flying-boat's speed had averaged between 100 and 130 knots, and the altitude round about 1000 feet. The weathed occasionally was not good, yet not very bad. The Ccntaurus had had to he steered by radio when approaching the New South Wales coast, owing to a dense haze.

Mr White declined to discuss the outcome of his talks on trade matters with New Zealand Ministers.