NEW RECORD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 7 August 1931, Page 5

NEW RECORD

AUSTRALIA TO ENGLAND

MOLLISON'S GREAT FLIGHT ARRIVAL AT CROYDON (United Press Association— By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 7th August, 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, 6th August. Mollison arrived at Croydon at 4.31 o'clock in tho afternoon. En route from Athens lie landed at Le Bourget aerodrome, France. Pilot Hannibar, a cross-Channel flier, warned Mollison that bad weather was ahead, and they took off together so that Mollison could follow him, but the Australian lost his way in had visibility' and came down in a field at Pevcnsey Bay, where lie was so exhausted that he was taken to a neighbouring bouse and given food and rested for two hours. He then flew on to Croydon.

Mollison was sunburnt and weary and bad bloodshot eyes. He said that although it had been ail unpleasant flight he was liappy' to have broken Scott’s record. lie said bis cy’es were sore because bis goggles bad been hst overboard three days ago, probably in India, but bo was so weary that be could not accurately remember. The conditions were trying to-day, but when lie landed at Pevcnsey Buv be got the local authorities to sign a declaration that lie bad descended there at 1.25. He now wanted nothing more than sleep, as lie bad averaged only two hours’ rest daily throughout the flight. Mollison’s official time is 8 days 21 hours 15 minutes, beating Scott’s record of ten days 13A hours. Mollison’s machine almost pitched on its nose when be mistook beach shingle for grassland. While he rested residents pushed tho ’plane three-quarters of a mile to better country from whore lie satisfactorily took off. Recounting bis experiences the aviator said be bad bad a terrible time today in fog, but perhaps the most dangerous moment of the flight was when lie arrived at Batavia after nightfall. He found the aerodrome lights extinguished and flew on until lie found a clearing in tho jungle where lie safely landed in the darkness. Ho induced an intelligent headman to put all the natives of his village to work and clear a runway. Mollison took off an hour later.

'British Official Wireless) RUGBY, 6th August. Mollison encountered very bad weather, including thunderstorms, heavy rain and dense fog, in flying across the Channel. He was welcomed by a large crowd at Croydon when Mr F. Montague, Under-Secretary for Air; congratulated him on liis wonderful flight. He said: “I am sure that not only this country hut the British Empire generally will he proud of your splendid performance.” It is understood that Mollison will remain in England for about a month and \tlieri attempt to beat tho record for a return flight from England to Australia. AMY JOHNSON TOKIO, 6lh August, _ Miss Amy Johnson landed at Tacliikaiva at 5.17 o’clock, and received a tremendous ovation. LINDBERGHS DELAYED OTTAWA, 6th August. Stormy weather is holding the Lindberghs at Aklavik to-day. Unless the weather changes the flight- fo Point Barrow may be delayed tor days.