FAMOUS COMPETITORS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21396, 20 October 1934, Page 9 (Supplement)

FAMOUS COMPETITORS

REVIEW OF PROSPECTS BRITISH ENTRIES PREDOMINATE CHALLENGE BY FOREIGN CREWS Crews and machines representing eight countries assembled this week in England for final preparations before commencing their long flight to Australia. Many outstanding figures in the world of flying are included among the pilots, both men and women who hare distinguished themselves; in earlier daring trips. In spito of indications that the largest number of competitors was likely to come from the United States, Great Britain heads the most recent list with nine machines, while there are three from the United States, two each from New Zealand, Australia and Holland, and one each from Ireland, New Guinea, and Denmark. The machines range from modest two-seaters to huge air-liners, and are representative of British, American, and Dutch factories. It is unfortunate that two Italian craft intended for the contests did not report at Mildenhall, but even in their absence there is a strong international atmosphere. The following list gives details of the entries, the letters S and H indicating whether competitors are taking part in the speed dash or the handicap section, or both:— Great Britain. —C. W. A. Scott and T. Campbell Black (de Havilland Comet), SH; J. A. and Mrs. Mollison (de Havilland Comet), SH; Lieutenant 0. Cathcart-Jones and "Wall (de Havil-

land Comet), SH; Squadron-Leader J). E. Stodart and K. G. Stodart (Airspeed Courier), H; H. K. Brook and Miss Lay (Miles Falcon), H; Flight-Lieu-tenant G. Shaw (Klernm Eagle), H; Flying-Officer C. G. Davies (Fairey niF), SH; Captain T. Neville Stack, S. L. Turner and McArthur (Airspeed Viceroy), SH; Flying-Officer H. D. Gilman and J. K. C. Baines (Fairey Fox), SH. United States. —Colonel Roscoe Turner, Clyde Pangborn and Miss R. Nichols (Boeing), S; Miss J. Cochran, W. Smith and It. Leonard (Granville), S; J. H. Wright and J. Polando (Lambert), H. New Zealand.—Squadron-Leader J. D. Hewett, Flying-Officer C. E. Kay and F. Stewart (de Havilland Rapide), SH; Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor and Mr. H. C. Walker (Miles Hawk), H.

Australia.—-J. Woods and Bennett (Lockheed Vega), SH; C. J. Melrose (Puss Moth), H.

Holland. —K. D. Parmentier, J. J. Moll, Vanbrugge, Prins and three passengers (Douglas), SH; D. L. Astes, G. J. Geysendorfer and Prone (Pander), S. Ireland. —Colonel J. C. Fitzmaurice and 33onar (Bellanca), S. New Guinea. —R. Parer and C. E. Hemswortli (Fairey Fox), SH. Denmark.—Lieutenant M. Hansen and Jensen (Desoutter), H.

One of the most likely of the British competitors is Mr. C. W. A. Scott, who, with Mr. T. Campbell Black, will fly a de flown England and Australia, an<M»is done long service as a commercial pilot, but has no knowledge of racing. Captain T. Neville Stack (Airspeed Viceroy), is in much the same category, and his craft should be little slower than the " Comets." The Mollisons' experience of long-dis-tance flying is known the world over, while Lieutenant 0. Cathcart-Jones, who is to fly the " Comet " entered by Mr. B. Rubin, in addition to serving for several years with the Fleet Air Arm, flew round Europe with the late Commander Glen Kidston in 1930, and the same pair also made a record dash from London to Capetown in 1931.

Although few in number, the United States teams are formidable. Colonel Roscoe Turner, Mr. Clyde Pangborn and Miss 11. Nichols have an intimate acquaintance with long-distance racing, and are fully accustomed to handling high-speed machines. Similarly the second American team for the speed section, Miss J. Cochran, Mr. Wesley Smith and Mr. It. Leonard is also a strong combination, and has a good machine in the Granville, which replaces the Northrop monoplane originally entered by Miss Cochran, and damaged in practice. The Dutch teams are unrivalled in their detailed knowledge of the course. The two pilots heading the crew of the K.L.M. Douglas, Messrs. K. D. Parmentier and J. J. Moll, have operated over a great part of the air race route for years, and this also applies to the two principal pilots of the second Dutch

machine, the Pander, Messrs. D. L. Astes and C. J. Geysendorfer. Their machine flew from Amsterdam to Batavia early this year in the record flying time of 46 hours 5 minutes, averaging 200 miles an hour for the 8986 miles. Surprises may ho provided by the Irish team, Colonel J. C. Fitzmaurice and his partner, Bonar, in their specially-built Bellanra. Both are fliers of high repute ,and their machine has been very carefully prepared. A review of prospects in the handicap division presents more difficulties, as so many factors enter into the complicated formula evolved, quite apart from the hazards of the race and the inevitably element of luck. It is conceivable that one of the latest arrivals at Fleinington may be successful in this section, while on the other hand, the winner of the speed dash may also prove victorious on handicap. It can be said without exaggeration, that all competitors entered lor the handicap have a fair chance, and New Zealanders are hopoful that either the de Havilland Rapide nominated by an Auckland committee, or the Miles Hawk, representing Manawatu, will prove the winner.