TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 9 May 1927, Page 5

TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT

SAINT ROMAIN CROSSES IN TWENTY-NINE HOURS

(By Electric Telegraph-Copyright) (Australian A N.Z. Cable Association

BUENOS AYRES, 6th May. Saint Remain reached South America at 11.25 this morning, crossing in 29 hours.

ADVANCE IN AVIATION

LONDON, 6th May. Coincident with St. Domain's thrilling transatlantic crossing, which is officially regarded ,as foolhardy because he removed the floats of his areoplane, a giant silver air-liner circling round London on a pleasure cruise, just as a pleasure steamer might run across a harbour tells the story of the amazing advance in aviation. Giant aeroplanes, which have been converted with sleeping cabins, will soon be operating regularly between London and the Continent, and experiments are progressing in seaplane services over the same route, alighting on the Thames. Several big department stores in London are showing aeroplanes in their windows, being for private sale. Llyod’s has introduced an air arrival and departure list, citizens already own their private areoplanes, which they utilise daily for the purpose of coming to London and returning from business. At present the chief interest in transatlantic flight aspirants centres round Captain Nungesser, who arrived at Le Bourgeb to-night in preparation for taking off for New York. Amazing scenes accompanied his arrival, a huge crowd rushing the police cordon round the flying fiield. Two hundred troops, with fixed bayonets, were ordered to protect the machine, upon which they formed a ring round the hangar. Captain Nungesser was forced to take refuge.

Captain Nungesser and his assistants are at present busy in preparation c f various necessary supplies. The food will consist mostly of caviare sandwiches bananas, and coffee. The depart me, which has been a close secret, is eipected to take place on Sunday, but it is not yet decided which route '1« will take ont of the three available One would be via,Cherbourg, the English coastline, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The .second could be from Cherbourg across the Atlantic to Boston and New York, and the third from Cherbourg to Newfoundland and thence to Halifax and New York. Present indications favour tho latter because there is less.risk of encountering ice-bergs.

NUNGESSER DEPARTS

Received 9th Mav, 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, Bth May

Nungesser hopped oil at Cherbourg at 10 o’clock this morning. Dramatic thrills accompanied the start, on which they decided last night, amid a tierce thunderstorm, meteorological experts declaring the storm was local. Nungesser and Coli, the navigator, shook hands on the decision and went off to snatch a few hours sleep. Meanwhile, the goliath Levnss Stir Lorraine plane, named Osheau Blanc, the latest French naval type, was finally tested and loaded at Lebourget. Nungesser and Coli arrived at dawn. The latter admitted he had not closed his eyes. The former slept well. A crowd of air notables witnessed the start and wished the aviators God speed.