VENTURE IN THE AIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19833, 31 December 1927, Page 8

VENTURE IN THE AIR.

FLIGHT ACROSS TABMAtf. NEW ZEALANDEFiS' PROJECT. SYDNEY-TRENTHAM JOURNEY. MAY START THIS WEEK-END. In an attempt to bridge the Tasman Sea by air for the first time, two New Zealand aviators, Lieutenant J. R. Moncrieffj of Wellington, and Captain G. Hood, of Ma'sterton, are scheduled to "hop off" from Sydney during the weekend with Trentham, Wellington, as their goal. Their monoplane, appropriately christened the Aotea-roa, underwent a successful test at the Point Cook aerodrome, 18 miles from Melbourne, during the week, and the airmen planned to fly to Sydney yesterday to complete final preparations for the great adventure. The exact time of departure from Sydney is not yet known, but will, of course, depend on the weather. The machine will carry 300 gallons of petrol, giving it a range of between 1600 and 1700 miles, and the aviators will be in constant wireless contact with New Zealand throughout the flight. Shipping during the next three days will be exceptionally well spaced across the Tasman Sea to render assistance should such be necessary. The Ulimaroa, which left Auckland for Sydney yesterday, will be about 350 miles off the New Zealand coast by noon to-morrow, the day on which the flight, at latest advice, will be undertaken. The Tahiti left Sydney for Wellington on Thursday, and should be 800 miles on her voyage at that time, while the Maunganui, bound for the same port, left Sydney yesterday, and should be about mid-Tasman at mid-day to-mor-row. The Marama also left Sydney for Auckland yesterday, and, if blown northward by a southerly gale, the aviators might sight her. Three other vessels, all equipped with wireless, left Newcastle yesterday for New Zealand ports. The Tairoa is bound for the Bluff, the Poolta for Wellington, and the Kurow for Auckland. The aviators have pinned their faith to the same typo of engiue as that which carried Colonel Charles Lindbergh across the Atlantic earlier in the year, and was used also by Chamberlain and Byrd. The motor is one of 200 horse-power, and is expected to develop about 226 horse-power under the most favourable conditions. Secrecy was preserved during the early preparations for the flight, which has been privately financed in New Zealand. Lieutenant Moncrieff, Captain Hood, and Captain I. L. Kight, of Dannevirke, who is interested in the project, left Wellington for Sydney three weeks ago, and later supervised the assembling of their machine, ordered from the United States, at the Point Cook aerodrome. Prior to leaving New Zealand, the aviators indicated their intention of endeavouring to strike the New Zealand coast near New Plymouth, taking Mount Egmont as their landmark. Their plan, presumably, was then tc- head for Trentham, but no definite advice as to route has since been received from Australia. Tha distance of the proposed flight is about 1400 miles. PLAN MAY BE STOPPED. OBJECTION TO MACHINE. REGARDED AS UNSUITABLE. (Received December 31, 12.30 a.m.) A. and N.Z. MELBOURNE, Dec. 30. Steps are being taken to prevent the flight from Sydney to New Zealand being made by Lieutenant Moncrieff and Captain Hood. The Prime Minister, Mr. Bruce, stated to-night that he disapproved of the flight as, in the opinion of experts, the machine was unsuitable. Mr. Bruce said he had been in communication with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. Coates, who stated the New Zealand Air Board also expressed the opinion that a more suitable type of machine was desirable.