FLIERS START

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21937, 22 October 1934, Page 9

FLIERS START

IMPRESSIVE SCENE ORDER OF DEPARTURE AWAY IN 15 MINUTES CROWDS OF ONLOOKEES MANY "GATE CKASHEES" By Te' •»<rraph—P-e=s Association —Copyright (Received LONDON. Oct. 90 After a few drops of rain had fallen the first streaks of anpeared in a patchv skv over M''denhall aerodrome at 5 a.m. to-day. The first machines taxied to^th e starting line for the Centenarv air race at 5.30 a.m. Both the New Zealand crews were in good spirits Souadror.-Leader J. P. Hewett said: "We slept well'and breakfasted well. and our machine is in excellent order. A lot depends on luck." Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor and Mr. L. C. Walker spent the last few minutes in discussing plans of the route with Mr.-C. T. P. TJlm. Hundreds of spectators "gatecrashed" the aerodrome and policemen, firemen and members of the Air Force ■were powerless to check the rush. The crowd was very orderly and did not interfere with the machines. It is officially estimated that 60,000 spectators and 8000 motor-cars were present. The Secretary of State for Air. the Marquess 'of Londonderry, gave each British pilot a message to the people of Australia, the first arrival to deliver it. In the meantime the contents are secret 1 Roar of Powerful Engines At 6.15 a.m. the roar of powerful engines was reverberating over the fenlands through- the stilly Suffolk dawn. 'The machines were lined up against a picturesque background. All eyes were strained on Sir Alfred Bower, "acting Lord Mayor of London, as he stood with a red flan in one hand and signalled the Mollisons off punctually at 6.30 a.m. Captain Neville Stack after taxiing some distance returned. It was stated that he picked up a film showing the start of all the machines, for delivery to Melbourne, but this has not been confirmed. Fiving-Officer H. D. Gilman lost eight and a-half minutes. He was readv to take-off before Lieutenant Hansen but could not break in there and waitqd until all the' others were away except Stack, who lost 13i minutes. Mollisons Take a Long Run The Mollisons had to run a long way before the tail left the ground, but eventually' they made a good take-off in about a quarter of a mile. Colonel .l?oscoe Turner was almost in the air before them. Lieutenant O. Cathcart-Jones failed to take-off and returned to the starting line. At his second attempt, Lieutenant Cathcart-Jones got away well, but the delay cost him a few minutes. Messrs. D. L. Astes and G. J. Geysendorsfer got away magnificently. They were followed by Mr. C. N\ . A. Scott, who made an equally fine start. Then Miss J. Cochran sped across the turf at a great pace, the machine bumping badly until finally it virtually bumped into the air. The spectators thought the under-carriage must bieak, and fears were expressed that it might collapse durjng the race. Last Leaves Ground Mr J. H. Wright and his companion, and Mr. C. G. Davies, were both away without incident Mr. J. Woods soared up straight and swift as a swallow, making one of the best, starts in the race. The sun broke through illuminating the brilliant scene as Squadron-Leader J. D. Hewett's Golden Dragon flashed past the post. Mr. R. Parer made a comfortable asceiit and the other starts were, uneventful. Fifteen minutes to start the 20 competitors, and at 6.50 a.m. not a speck remained in the sky. Lvery machine got away without requiring to use the full length of the aerodrome, which is nearly a mile. The aeroplane of Messrß. ,J. Woods and Bennett (Australia) capsized at Aleppo in landing. The pilots were not seriously injured. They telegraphed to the Royal Aero Club saying:—"Our under-carriage has collapsed and we ftre out of the race."