READY TO "HOP OFF"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21386, 10 January 1933, Page 11

READY TO "HOP OFF"

TESTING THE MACHINE NOTHING LEFT TO CHANCE PILOT IN STRICT TRAINING BY S. E. NEILSON (Copyright.) SYDNEY, Jan. 5 Mechanics and radio experts have been working night and day on the Southern Cross and her equipment for the last week. Sir Charles has been supervising all the work with his usual care and efficiency. At 11.30 a.m. yesterday he said, "Run her out and we will give her a test." The special radio-telephony and Morse receiving and transmitting equipment arrived from Holland on Tuesday. John Stannage, radio operator, supervised its installation in the sound-proof cabin. Trailing and fixed wing aerials are being used. To assist with the working of the radio equipment, "Smithy" has taken the exhausts from the two outboard motors over the top of the wing. This greatly diminishes the noise from the exhausts. A special motor, equipped with small propeller (blades about 12in. long) has been fitted to generate power for the radio batteries, and for a special landing light. This floodlight is 2400 candle-power, and with special reflectors will throw up to 60,000 candle-power light. "Smithy" said, "We are taking it along just in case head winds delay us after dusk. It will flood-light any aerodrome. I am using the same instruments which have carried the 'old bus' safely over 200,000 miles." The huge top-wing monoplane is equipped with three engines, the centre one having a special three-bladed metal propeller which weighs 1301b. The two outboard motors have the more common two-bladed wooden propellers. The Southern Cross looks nicely spick and span with her fresh coat of silver and blue. "Smithy" has his own motor-car painted in similar colours, and it is known all over the city. Weight to Be Lifted A total weight of 13,0001b. will be lifted when she takes off. Five persons and 660 gallons of gasolene, sufficient for 22 hours' flying, will be carried. Two large special tanks are fitted in the cabin, and have two hand-pumps in case one fails. Everything on the ship is "100 per cent," and every conceivable contingency is provided against. "Smithy" is in strict training, and is looking and feeling wonderfully fit. I heard one person wish him a "safe crossing." "Smithy's" spontaneous reply was, "Thanks, old man, if it wasn't safe I wouldn't be going." When the "old bus" was run out yesterday for her trials, she created a great deal of interest. Petrol was taken on board and "Smithy" took off with Bill Taylor (co-pilot and navigator), John Stannage, radio operator, Geo. Percival, passenger, Tommy Pethybridge, the head mechanic, a representative of the Phillips Radio Company watching their installation, and myself. Pride and Affection The "old bus" quickly climbed to 1500 ft., and Bill Taylor '-'shot the sun," and tested his other instruments. John Stannage also tried out all his new plant. The Southern Cross flew gracefully over the Sydney Cricket Ground, the Bridge, round Manly, and back to Mascot. Smithy was perfectly satisfied with the big machine and his other experts reported "everything 0.k." There was real pride and affection ,in "Smithy's" face as he climbed down and looked the "old bus" over. John Stannage is quite satisfied he will maintain two-way communication between New Zealand and Australia on all stages of the flight. We leave Mascot on Tuesday for Gerringong Beach, and await weather reports. The Southern Cross will be filled there by special tank waggon. The Vacuum. Company have to make special arrangements to get the big waggon across the creek and along the beach. Gerringong is about 70 miles from Sydney and has a fine gently sloping hard sandy surface at low tide. The weather reports from all sources will be passed on to "Smithy." Everyone is happy, confident, and just waiting to j "hop off."

DATE OF DEPARTURE

MESSAGE FROM GERRINGONG NEW PLYMOUTH ARRANGEMENTS [BY telegraph—PH.ESs association] NEW PLYMOUTH, Monday The uncertainty as to the time and date for the start of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's Tasman flight was removed by a short-wave communication received at the radio station at New Plymouth aerodrome this evening. Those in charge at Gerringong Beach stated that the flight would be commenced, weather permitting, at 3 a.m. (Sydney time), on Thursday, January 12. It was stated that searchlights would not be necessai-y at New Plymouth, as the Southern Cross would carry her own powerful floodlight for use should delay bo caused on the flight and a landing in the dark be necessitated. Arrangements at New Plymouth are completed, including the establishment of radio and telegraphic stations at the aerodrome. According to plans the flight should occupy about 12 hours, so the Southern Cross should land at about 5 o'clock in the afternoon. A Press Association message received from Sydney last evening stated: — "Everything is in readiness for Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's Tasman flight. A final inspection of the Southern Cross was made to-day. The airman and his companions will take off from Mascot at i p.m. to-morrow and arrive at Gerringong Beach an hour later. "Already a large number of campers, motorists and local residents have gathered on the beach to witness the departure. The air speed over the Tasman is not expected to exceed 90 miles an hour owing to the addition of exterior gear. "The forecast for the next 24 hours is for hot weather inland, south-east tfc> east winds on the coast, squally at times, with cyclonic conditions about New Caledonia, fresh to strong north-west to west winds over the south-west half of the Tasman. "Sir Charles stated to-day that every effort was being made to hop off for New Zealand between two and four o'clock on Wednesday morning."

NO VISIT TO FAR NORTH A CALL AT WHANG AREI [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] KAITAIA, Monday In a letter, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith expresses regret that he will be unable to accept an invitation to visit the NinetyMile Beach. He states that time will not permit him to go further north than Whangarei<