GREAT AIR RACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21932, 16 October 1934, Page 11

GREAT AIR RACE

CRITICISM OF RULES "A LEISURELY CRUISE" FLIGHT ACROSS PACIFIC "The Melbourne Centenary air race, under the rules finally adopted, will be more of a leisurely cruise than a race," said Mr. John Stannage, business manager for Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, who, accompanied by Mr. J. T. Pethybridge, engineer, is passing through Auckland by the Aorangi 011 his way to the United States in connection with the famous airman's forthcoming transpacific flight. The rules passed by the Royal Aero Club would make it necessary for most of tho competing machines to land and refuel every 1000 miles, Mr. Stannage said. With some of the fast machines, this would mean landing every few hours. It might be a desirable safety measure, but it destroyed very largely the racing aspect. "111 Australia we are inclined to think that tho rules should favour the British Do Haviland Comet machines," Mr. Stannage said. "They are apparently allowed a cruising range of about 3000 miles. On the other hand the Italian competitors, who have received enthusiastic support from their Government, may furnish the winner." Considerable regret had been caused in Australia by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's withdrawal from the race, Mr. Stannage continued. It had been the result of pure bad luck. The delays in the granting of the certificate had been unavoidable, but even then the airman could easily have flown to England in time for the start of the race if it had not been for the damage to his engine cowling. This was made of spun aluminium and a special plant had to be arranged to make the repairs. The work took so long that it would have been practically impossible for the monoplane to have been flown to England in time for overhaul and testing before the start of the race. "To have attempted to fly to England would have imposed too great a strain on Sir Charles and his companion, Captain P. G. Taylor," Mr. Stannage added. "His decision is regarded in Australia as the only one lie could have made." Mr. Stannage said he could add nothing to the information already published regarding Sir Charles' proposed transpacific flight in the Lady Southern Cross. Sir Charles intended to fly from Sydney to Brisbane this week and then await a favourable opportunity for "hopping off." He hoped to be able to arrange tho time so as to have the navigational aid of the full moon on the stretch between Suva and Honolulu. At present Sir Charles proposed to sell the monoplane 011 his arrival in the United States. Mr. Stannage has been wireless operator with Sir Charles 011 flights across the Atlantic and the Tasman. More recently he has been manager of Sir Charles' aviation business in Sydney. The Lady Southern Cross, lie said, would be equipped with a small wireless transmitting set for the flight across the Pacific, and the set would be operated by Sir Charles. "He is as good an operator as 1 am," Mr. Stannage added. FIRST ARRIVALS TWELVE AT MILDENHALL NEW ZEALAND ENTRANTS LONDON. Oct. 11 By 4.30 p.m. to-day—the time specified for the arrival of competitors in the Melbourne Centenary air race at Mildenhall—l2 had landed. Extensions were granted to 10 other probable starters, in addition to several who are regarded as unlikely to compete. Barring accidents the ultimate field seems likely to be 20, not including two Italian entrants, of whom there is no news. Seventeen of the probable fliers are now in England. In view of the great expense o£ the race the heavy scratehings from the original field of 64 are not surprising, and in view of the early apathy, especially in Britain, 20 starters would be satisfactory. An Australian, Mr. James Woods, on landing at Boston, in his Lockheed Vega, damaged the undercarriage this afternoon. The damage is not serious and the pilot was not injured. The machine was rushed to the workshops, and it is expected that repairs will be effected in time to enable the flier to reach Mildenhall to-morrow. The Royal Aero Club has granted him an extension until to-morrow. There will be no mistaking tho Rapide Dragon to he flown in the race by Squadron-Leader J. D. Hewett and Flying-Officer C. Kay, the Auckland entrants. It is painted a virulent orange which, though inartistic, is the easiest colour to see from the air in the event of a forced landing. The Miles Hawk to be flown by their fellow New Zealanders of the Manawatu Aero Club, Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor and Mr. H. C. Walker, will be the smallest in the race. MR. ULM'S FLIGHT NAVIGATOR; IN AUCKLAND Details of Mr. C. T. P. Ulin's proposed flight across the Pacific from America to Australia could not be disclosed yesterday by his navigator, Mr. L. Skilling, who is a through passenger to Vancouver by the Aorangi. Mr. Skilling said he would not know the full particulars until ho met Mr. Ulm in Canada, but it was expected that the flight would open great commercial possibilities.