BOSS SMITH'S FLIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17361, 7 January 1920, Page 7

BOSS SMITH'S FLIGHT.

CONDITION 'OF MACHINE, HOPE OF REPAIR SOON. 1 JOURNEY TO BE RESUMED, j By Telegraph— Association— Copyricht. (Received 10.45 p.m.) A. and N.Z. BRISBANE, Jan. S. Sir Ross Smith's party is visiting the city. The members had an enthusiastic reception. It is hoped that their machine will be repaired in a fortnight and will fly to Brisbane and thence to Sydney. — ! When Sir Ross Smith and his companions were about to start from, the neighbourhood of Charleville for Sydney and Melbourne they noticed that one of the engines of the Vickers-Yimy did not work too well. They rose gradually, and had flown around about fivo miles, when the mechanic noticed tho engine knocking considerably. As it was getting worse, it was decided to descend. It was then discovered that the crank-shaft was damaged. When flying from London duplicate parts were dispensed with in India, thus making the position embarrassing. A motor engineer expert of Charleville who examined the machine stated that the engines of the aeroplane were of the best. There was nothing better in the world. Ho added: "Look what a terrible strain has been on them. They have been working at top speed through all climates." ' He considered that Sir Ross Smith was most fortunate in being near Charleville when the accident happened, and explained that the connecting rod cam»\ off the crank-shaft, breaking the crank arm ' binding the shaft. 1— — —