GREAT AIR RACES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21807, 23 May 1934, Page 12

GREAT AIR RACES

THE HANDICAP EVENT dominion entry urged MOVEMENT IN AUCKLAND ART UNION PROPOSAL In spite of the failure of the aero clubs of New Zealand to co-operate in promoting a Dominion entry for the forthcoming Centenary air races from England to Australia, an Auckland committee still hopes to arrange for a machine to bo entered in the handicap race. It is likely that in the event of the necessary funds, about £7OOO, being raised, Squadron-Loader J. 0. Hewett and Flying-Officer C. E. Kay, of Auckland, will bo chosen as pilot and navigator respectively. A deputation of prominent business men, including the Mayor of Auckland, .Mr. G. W. Hutchison, waited on the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. J. A. Young, while he was in Auckland recently, seeking permission to hold an art union to raise the necessary funds, and it is understood that the Minister was favourably inclined toward the proposal. No definite reply has yet been received, however. Entries for the races close at the end of this month. In the event of sufficient money being raised to finance the venture, it is proposed to purchase a Do Havillatul Dragon machine. Bath Squadron-Leader Hewett and Flying-Officer Kay are anxious to take part in the race, and would have a distinct advantage over some other competitors, as FlyingOfficer Kay has already been over tho course, having flown from England to Australia with Flying-Offieor H. L. Piper in 1930. An offer to donate £IOO to head a subscription-list to finance a Dominion entry lias been made by Mr. T. C. Kerry, of Wenderholm, Waiwera, North Auckland, in the following letter to the editor of the Hehat,d: —"With re-' fereheo to the Melbourne Centenary air race, I really think that Now Zealand should have an entry, as we are quite a sporting community, and an entry in an international race of this kind would be a fine thing for'the country. I think that the cost will be about, £BOOO, and if others will follow suit by offering small subscriptions, I will gladly give £IOO to head the list. We have a really good pilot in SquadronLeader Hewett, whom I think should bo nominated, and I appeal to the public that the utmost endeavour be made to raise tho money as soon as possible, as an entry, especially if successful, will bo of great and lasting value to the prestige of New Zealand." SEVERITY OF TEST SOLE ITALIAN ENTRY MUSSOLINI'S OFFICIAL PILOT (Received May 22, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 21 Tho Manchester Guardian, summingup the prospects of the Melbourne Centenary air race, considers that no aeroplane with a speed under 200 miles an hour will have much chance of success. The first three will probably have to run risks as great as those involved in an Atlantic flight. A hundred inibs gained at the start will make all the difference between success and failure. The temptation to cut the corners will be acute, but that will take pilots far from the safe commercial routes.

Speed, however, will not be the only factor. Range, night flying, equipment and navigational ability are equally important. Whoever wins will emerge from the severest test of modern machines and piloting that anyone could wish. The American airman, Captain George Pond, who last week flew the Atlantic and was forced down in Ireland, has announced that he intended to enter the Centenary air race, and would fly a similar machine to that in which lie crossed the Atlantic. A Rome , message states that Francisco Lombardi, an entrant for the Centenary race, embarked in an Imperial Airways mail aeroplane at Brindisi for Singapore, whence he will proceed to Australia. The head of the press bureau of the Italiai. Air Ministry said that Loinbardi's was the only Italian entry in the air race. It is stated that Lombardi's entrji proves the importance which Signor Miusolini attaches to the race, particularly as Lombardi has long been known as the Puce's official pilot. Ho will fly a streamlined monoplane called the PL3.

AMERICAN MACHINES A PPA RENT COMPR OMTSE (Received May 22. C.55 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 22 As an indication that American racing machines may yet bo eligible for the Melbourne centenary air race, the Aeronautic Association has been informed by the Australian and New Zealand Press Association as follows: "The Department of Commerce is now drafting a statement on airworthiness requirements as finally compromised. Entries are now acceptable by cablegram up to June I." A Los Angeles message states that Sir Charles Kingston! Smith said he was pleased to hear that a compromise bad apparently been reached. Ho said that would obviate any severe criticism. He had planned to transport any aeroplane purchased in America to Australia to secure approval, but that might now lie unnecessary.