SCOTT'S GREAT FLIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20846, 13 April 1931, Page 9

SCOTT'S GREAT FLIGHT.

APPLAUSE OF COLLEAGUES.

TRIUMPH OF ENDURANCE.

DEPARTURE FOR BRISBANE.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received April 12, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. April 12. Air circles in Australia applaud Captain C. W. Scott's performance in to Australia in record time. Sir Keith Smith declares it to be a triumph for skill, endurance and ground organisation. Air-Commodore Kingsford Smith, who at present is carrying passengers from Melbourne <o Tasmania in the vetoran Southern Cross, would welcome an opportunity to attempt to recapture the record, but his business engagements will probably prevent this. Captain Scott spent Saturday quietly in Darwin and will start this morning for Brisbane, to f . proceed south slowly, and will indulge in no more record breaking for the present. In February, 1930, Captain Scott established a record for the flight from Brisbane to Melbourne in a light aeroplane. Ho had a narrow escape from death in 1928, when he fle'w into a hill in lofty ranges in South Australia, while attempting to fly from Adelaido to Longreach. One day his aeroplane caught fire and was destroyed. Captain Scott suffered a broken jaw and other injuries. He walked a mile to the nearest farmhouse. His mechanic, George Nutson, was killed. Captain Scott bad piloted Air-Marshal Salmond 3000 miles over Australia in seven days, and was about to return to Queensland when the crash occurred. The Prime Minister, Mr. J. H. Scullin, has sent the following message to Captain Scott:—" Wo feel proud of the fact that a coveted honour has fallen to the lot of another Australian. Your notable achievement has once again demonstrated the skill and intrepidity of Australian airmen." Air-Commodore Kingsford Smith sent a telegram conveying his heartiest congratulations. Ho enthusiastically praised Captain Scott's feat, which he described as a great piece of work. Captain Scott was entertained, at a dinner by local business people, at which his toast was lo Squadron-Leader Hinkler, the man who made the first record." The airman said he had had a nice trip, save for a bad crossing over Java and Sumbawa. He was glad to havo beaten the record, but he would not try breaking it again for £1,000.000.

A BRAVE ADVENTURE.

ENGLISH PRESS TRIBUTES

PRIME MINISTER'S MESSAGE

LONDON. April 11

The Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, telegraphed the following message from Lossiemouth: —"Delighted at Captain Scott's arrival. I congratulate him on his wonderful achievement." Sir Malcolm Campbell says:—"Well done, Scott! It was an awfully fine show. His enterprise and determination deserved success." The Daily Telegraph says:—" It is as a skilful and brave adventurer that we salute Captain Scott. A solo flight is a test of navigation and skill, but these long distance flights still have an air. of high adventure rather than of in the science of aerial navigation. The Times says:—" These young airmen and airwomen, who set out quietly, sometimes alone, are the lineal descendants of the old-time explorers and merchant adventurers, whose daring contempt of danger enlarged the bounds of this island until she became the centre of a worldwide Empire. But theirs is always a peaceful mission, not to add possessions but to bring the Commonwealth of British Nations nearer to the mother-country."

Mrs. Scott, the wife of the airman, and their little daughter, wiio are staying near London, were overjoyed by the news, after many days' anxious strain. Captain Scott is a Londoner. He was at Westminster School. He is over 6ft. in height. When he was in the Royal Air Force he was heavyweight boxing champion. His aeroplane is a Gipsy Moth of 120 h.p., and is of standard type, except for extra petrol storage. Throughout the flight the engine, which is of the same typo as that used by Kingsford Smith, behaved perfectly.

" Charles is pure English, body and soul,'' Scott's father declares, in reply to Mr. Scullin's claim that lie is an Australian.

A TRYING JOURNEY.

PETROL NEARLY EXHAUSTED

PRAISE FOR MISS JOHNSON.

(Received April 12, 5.55 p.m.) DARWIN. April 12

Captain C. W. Scott left at 7 a.m. today for Brisbane, in perfect flying weather. Ho thinks his record will bo beaten in a year or two, as flying methods and facilities improve, and he will heartily congratulate the man who does it. Captain Scott says he found it a terribly hard job. An airman, lie says, needs perfection in his machine, the weather, and luck. He thinks Miss Amy Johnson had ,1 great heart to make her flight. Ho prefers a Gipsy Moth, as one can get spares, and all-metal machines are best for arduous flights.

Tlio clock of his aeroplane, which has heen twice to England on aeroplanes, he presented to tho landlady of the Hotel Victoria, who also possesses Mr. Hinklor s clock. Captain Scott's small baby's gollywog, which was his mascot, will be sent Home again. The airman reckons the cost of the flight at about £ISOO. He hopes to about clear expenses. There is little money now in record-breaking. Ho describes the last day's flight from Bima as the most trying of the trip, as he had only just enough petrol for (lie long and risky opon sea flight to Darwin. Looking down lie could seo tho shapes of sharks, and the lime passed very slowly until land loomed up, and tho strain was over. , Just after he landed another aoroplane arrived from Daly Waters with two surveyors of tho Aviation Department, wlio, when they heard of the strangoi s anival, inquired: " Who is Scott!"- He enlightened them.