IN TWO DAYS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 24 January 1934, Page 5

IN TWO DAYS

LONDON TO MELBOURNE CENTENARY AIR RACE AMERICAN PILOT’S PLAN (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) NEW ORLEANS (Louisiana), 23rd January. James Weddell, a- noted American racing pilot and the designer of high speed aircraft, in an exclusive interview with the Australian Press Association said he had definitely decided to enter the London-Australia air race. ‘‘l am going in to win with a ’plane capable of 250 miles an hour cruising speed, and barring unforseen difficulties 1 expect to traverse the entire distance in two days.” The ’plane is one of his own design known as the Weddell-Williams monoplane. It at present has a cruising radius of 1000 miles, but he plans to enlarge the fuel tanks, increasing the radius by 500 miles. He proposes? to take the ’plane to England probably in September and prepare for the race. Asked whether he would have a copilot. Weddell said: “No. I shall fly alone. During my stay in England I shall train myself to stand the strain of flying for two days without a rest.” He said he understood that Roscoe Turner and James Haizlip, well known speed racers, are considering entering, using ’planes designed by Weddell. “Wiley Post may. join if he is able to get a faster ship than he now has,”- he added,.

SOME FAST FLIGHTS NEW ORLEANS, 23rd January. James Wedell not Weddell, of the Wedell-Williams Air Service Corporation, has during the past years built several racing low-winged monoplanes for competition in United States national air races, one whereof was piloted by James Haizlip, who won the Bendix trophy in the 2041 miles race from Burbank (California) to Cleveland (Ohio) covering the distance in 8 hours Iga minutes, over 200 miles an hour. Later Wedell flew the same machine from Ottawa to .Mexico City, 2485 miles, in 11 hours 53 minutes, over 200 miles hourly. Wedell also recorded 277 miles an hour in a machine of his own design at Cleveland.

TURNER PLANS TO ENTER, (Received 24th January, 1.10 p.m. ) LOS ANGELE&, 23rd January. Turner informed the Australian Press Association that he plans to enter lhe London-Melbourn6 race if proper financial backing is obtainable. He will not determine the type of aeroplane he will use or other details pending a definite decision to enter.