SCHNEIDER CUP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20977, 14 September 1931, Page 9

SCHNEIDER CUP.

NO FLIGHT ON SATURDAY. LARGE CROWDS DISAPPOINTED. (Received September 1.1, 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 13. The flight of the British team over tho course for the Schneider Cup contest was postponed yesterday, and although tho wind is blowing freshly in the Solei.t this morning the weather is fine, and the outlook hopeful for tho afternoon. Flight-Lieutenanb Orlebar, after flying over the course-shortly before noon, said it seemed all right and the machines were towed to ihe starting line. The intended flight yesterday was postponed until to-day owing to bad weather. Flight-Lieutenant Orlebar on returning after a test flight said it was hopeless to think of starting.

The large crowds of spectators waited until fho test was made and then philosophically went home and the seaplanes were taken hack to the hangars. The Lord's Day Observance Society had protested to the Schneider Cup Committee against the proposal to fly to-day. The arrangements yesterday were that Flight-Lieutenant Boothman .should take off first in the S6B Vickers supermarine Rolls-Royce seaplane and attempt to boat the record set up by the British winner in the 1.929 race, of 328 miles an hour and thus gain the trophy for Britain. If Lieutenant Boothman succeeded, Flight-Lieutenant Stainforth was to make an attempt on the world's three kilometre record during the afternoon, and in that case, the Royal Aero Club announced, no other demonstration of high speed flying was to have taken place.

Among the spectators were members of the team nominated by the French.

Regret is felt at Calshot at the absence of the Italian team owing to the death of Lieutenant Bellini. Lord Amulree, Minister for Air, sent a telegram to General Italo Balbo, the Italian Minister for Air, expressing on behalf of the Air Council and the Royal Air Force "deep sympathy in the loss of the gallant pilot Bellini." CLAIMS BY ITALY. RECORD SPEEDS ATTAINED. LATE LIEUTENANT BELLINI. (Received September 13. 9.45 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 13. Concerning the secret seaplane trials at Desenzano, on Lake Garda, this week it is claimed that the late Lieutenant Bellini reached a speed of miles an hour before he crashed because of his being unconscious owing to the great speed. It is also claimed that three other Italian machines did 393 i and 437£ miles an hour respectively, and further, that one which was designed for the Schneider Cup race is capable of doing 500 miles an hour. This is believed to be a freak machine with tandem propellers working in opposite directions.