RACING MACHINE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 27 September 1934, Page 7

RACING MACHINE

FLYING TO INDIA

REFUELLING FLIGHT

SPECIAL CERTIFICATE ISSUED TO AIRMAN COVERING AIRWORTHINESS (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 27th September, 10.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Malting concessions to enable Sir Charles Kingsford Smith to take part in the air race, the Assistant Minister of Finance, Mr Francis, has issued a special certificate covering Sir Charles’s machine. This is not the normal certificate « of airworthiness issued by the Civil Aviation Department, and it will be necessary for the airman to satisfy the Air Race Committee in London that the special certificate complies with the conditions of the race.

Official circles believe that the certificate will be acceptable, and that Sir Charles will be permitted to take part in the race.

The airman adheres to his intention of leaving for England to-morrow.

PERMISSION TO FLY OVER TURKEY

(Received 27th September. 11.35 a.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE, 26th September. In response to a personal request Mustapha Kemal has granted Sir Charles Kingsford Smith permission to fly over Turkey.

SIR PHILIP SASSOON INSPECTING AIR BASES RUGBY, 25tli September. Sir Philip Sassoon, .Under-Secretary for Air, who is flying to India and Singapore by seaplane to inspect Royal 'Air Force bases, left Malta on a further'stage of his journey this morning.

R.A.F. FLYING BOATS AT

DARWIN

DARWIN, 25th September. The three R-.A.F. flying boats Tom Basra, en route for the Melbourne Centenary, arrived at Darwin at 1.30 p.m.

COBHAM TO TRY AGAIN

“PECULIAR” INCIDENTS

(Received 26th September, noon) LONDON, 26th September. Sir Alan Cobham, interviewed on his return, said: “ ‘Peculiar’ is the only word applicable to the series of incidents. I intend to make a thorough investigation and' will attempt another refuelling flight.”

Sir Alan Cobham and Squadron-Lead-er Ilelmore recently undertook a 5200 non-stop flight to India in an ordinary commercial aeroplane of the Courier type, which was to be refuelled In the air at four points en route. The flight was intended as a demonstration of the advantages of the air refuelling system. The machine was to be refuelled frotfi tanker ’planes above Portsmouth,' Malta. Alexandria and Basra, the process taking only a- minute or so and by the time thus saved it was hoped to reacfi Karachi in 48 hours. The flight was abandoned after a narrow escape following a jammed throttle over the sea near Malta, afld when news of the crash oi the Youth of-New Zealand, a refuelling ’plane, readied Sir Alan Cobham.