GREAT FLIGHT PLANNED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21346, 22 November 1932, Page 9

GREAT FLIGHT PLANNED

NON-STOP TO AUSTRALIA

BRITISH MACHINE DESIGNED

LONDON, Nov. 20 The aviation correspondent of the Daily Express, in an exclusive announcement, gives plans for the making of the greatest flight to Australia yet attempted—a continuous day-and-night flight, which is expected to cover the 10,450 miles from Lympne to Darwin in five days. Outstanding aviators, are said to he arranging the scheme for early next spring, the leader being a world-famous Englishman. A continuous flight will be made possible by refuelling from " tanker" machines along tho route, which will supply both petrol and food.

A special secret biplane is being constructed for the adventure, in which high speed is to be sacrificed for reliability. Tho designers have decided on a single radial air-cooled engine of the latest typo in preference to multiple engines, because experience has shown that the former can run ceaselessly and practically unattended for 1000 hours, while the other type multiplies the risk of engine trouble.

The project is said to be amply supported financially, several thousand pounds having already been spent on preliminary work The chief concern is a plan perfect' in every technical detail, with a view to obtaining the world's nonstop distance record for Britain.

Training tho " tanker " pilots will begin in January. The actual route was only chosen after trials with a special machine.