AIR RACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21396, 20 October 1934, Page 13

AIR RACE

EVE OF START TREMENDOUS INTEREST NEW ZEALANDERS LATE TESTS NOT COMPLETED ME. WALLER'S MISHAP By Tele^rruih—Proas Association—Copyright (Kcrc-ived October 19. f>.35 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 19 There is tremendous interest in England in the Centenary air race to Melbourne, the start of which is fixed for to-morrow. The Daily Mail expresses the opinion that if the wind continues to blow as is predicted —at o0 miles an hour from , the north-north-west —Melbourne possibly will be reached in less than three days. It is announced that owing to the late arrival at Mildenhall of Messrs. Gilman and Baines, the two New Zealanders who are to fly a Fairey Fox, in both the handicap and speed events it. was impossible for them to undergo the tests necessary. The handicap committee is endeavouring to complete sufficient tests to enable them to participate in the speed race. Damage to Comet Machine Mr. Gilman arrived at the aerodrome in darkness. He received a cablegram from his mother in Auckland conveying good wishes. He asked a representative of the Sun news service to tell her he will try to "put up a show" worthy of her. Every effort is being made to make the D.H. Comet of Mr. Ken Waller and Flight-Lieutenant Cathcart-Jones fit for the start. The under-carriage of the machine feollapsed when the two airmen were landing and the propellers were damaged. He may not be able to start in / the race. Lieutenant Cathcart-Jones was piloting the aeroplane at the time and a heavy landing apparently pushed the wheels up into the engine. Tail Wind Across Europe

The De Havilland Co. says it may be able to repair the machine in time for the start. Long after dark it was in the centre of the aerodrome where the accident occurred. Lieutenant Cath-cart-Jones is uncertain of the cause, but he believes he must have landed with the wheels partly retracted. Improvement in the weather has enabled many pilots to seize the opportunity of triial flights. Colonel J. C. Fitzmaurice, in his Special Ballanca, roared across? the aerodrome at great Bpeed yesterday. The Air Ministry's meteorological officer has given encouraging reports of the weather conditions. He says a tail wind prevails right across Europe, promising the fliers valuable assistance Inost of the way to, Bagdad. In the Hebald supplement issued to-day is published on page 9 a series of articles and illustrations bearing on the Centenary air race and the careers of prominent competitors, with details of their machines.

/ SINGAPORE REPORT PREPARATIONS COMPLETE IMPROVED CONDITIONS (Received! October 19. 10.45 p.m.) ' SINGAPORE, Oct. 19 Preparations for the arrival of. the Competitors in the Centenary air race fit Singapore are complete. The weather between Victoria Point, Burma, and Singapore. generally is fair, with light Winds and visibility is good. Hea\*y but local showersi are likely within the next 24 hours.

WEATHER OUTLOOK FAVOURABLE PROSPECTS CHANGE WOULD MEAN DELAY firitißh Wireless RUGBY, Oct. 18 The machines which are to compete Ifi the Centenary air race will be taken from the hangars at Mildenhall on Saturday one hour before the first one ib signalled off at 3.30 a.m. Only bad visibility or fog will delay the start of the race. If the weather conditions are such that none of the aeroplanes has been sent off by 10 a.m., it is likely that the start will be postponed until Sunday, as all the competitors are anxious to have as much daylight flying as possible for their first hop.At present, however, there is every prospect of favourable weather over Europe on Saturday.