LANDING IN DARK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21958, 15 November 1934, Page 12

LANDING IN DARK

MACHINE STRIKES FENCE MINOR DAMAGE CAUSED PROGRESS OF THE FLIGHT ENGINES RUN PERFECTLY [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] ' PALMERSTON NORTH, Wednesday Completing the first England to New Zealand flight, Squadron-Leader J. D. Hewott, Flying-Officer C, E. Kay' and Mr. F. Stewart, Auckland competitors in the Centenary air race, reached Milson Aerodrome at 8.4 to-night. In making a landing in the dark, they had tho misfortune to damage slightly the de Havilland Dragon Eapide machine by coming to rest against a wire fence. It was an annoying finish to an otherwise magnificent flight. The damage consists of a bent tip to the port propeller and a burst tyre on the wheel skid, both of which can be easily repaired. Apart from being dog-tired from the mental strain of the long flight over the water, the airmen are well. Shortly after landing they were quartered at a hotel enjoying their second hearty meal of the day, the first having been partaken in Australia, early breakfast. . Load Lilted Easily With 260 gallons of petrol, enough for 14 hours' flying, and a favourable weather report, the aviators left Richmond aerodrome, Sydney, at 5.50 a.m., Australian time. The machine took olf easily. In fact, Squadron-Leader Hewett said, it could have lifted twice the load. It was anticipated that the weather would be rough for the first hour, and this proved to be the case. The weather was fair at Sydney, but it was not long before the aeroplane ran into heavy stuff, and bucked about considerably. Rain showers added to the discomfort of the situation. The engines were functioning perfectly, and to increase the range of visibility Squadron-Leader Hewett, who was at the ; controls all the way, took the Dragon down low over the water and he flew just above the waves. Within four hours the conditions improved, as had been predicted, and the pilots decided to climb to 5000 feet. The day was much finer up there, and they flew above the clouds for' another two hours. Unfortunately, above the clouds they were not able to estimate the amount of drift. They drifted south but how far they could > not judge. From that on the weather continued fine.' First Sight oi Land They got their first sight of land to discover a little later that it was the high country behind Westport. They turned north and followed the coastline until near Farewell Spit, where they changed direction and flew across Golden Bay to Blenheim. They considered the advisability of landing there, but they decided to push north and made contact with the North Island at Paekakariki.' It was getting dark by now, and they decided to land at Palmerston North..

They sighted Palmerston North and flew- over the - city, easily picking up the aerodrome, where officers ,'of the Mana-watu. Aero Club had made preparations for a night landing by setting out thejyegulation flares. The machine, carrying navigation lights, circled the aerodrome three (times before Squad-ron-Leader Hewett glided down for a closer lo6k. He then went up again and swung iito..position, for landing, which he made, but- overshot. The re-' sulf wa's that he did not'have sufficient room in which' to: pull up,' and the machine, breasted the .fence at the eastern end of the aerodrome) .causing the dimage. . ' ! ...

Preparations at Aerodrome. The,flight of 9J hpura from coast to coast is a record one, and. throughout the machine behaved .perfectly, ..the engines, never' .giving .the slightest anxiety. Although Palmerston North had hope that the aviators would land at Milson during the afternoon or early evening, when Word was received that they had been sighted at Westport, it was considered that they would make for one of the nearer aerodromes. It was thus at very short notice that the aerodrome at Milson was prepared for a ijight landing on receipt of a telephone message from Squadron-Leader T. M. Wilkes, director of -air services, Wellington. Flares were hurriedly set out, but Squadron-Leader Hewett said they were not the best for night landing, floodlights, being preferable.

MACHINES AT MANGERE SEVERAL DIFFERENT TYPES • There were -10 light aeroplanes of various types assembled at Mangere aerodrome yesterday afternoon to form an escort for the fliers, who were expected to land" before/ dark. In addition to the three Auckland Club Moths kept at Mangere and the two similar machines " from Hamilton, there were Mr, G. E, Marni Kerry's coupe Moth, Mr. F. A. N. North's home-made biplane, Tui, a Simmonds-Spartan flown from Thames by Mr. T. ' A'. Baikie. an Air Force Moth flown by SquadronLeader L. M. Isitt, and anPther Moth, formerly owned by Squadron-Leader Hewett, and at present the property of Mr. D. Mill, of Hobsonville. The machines were lined up in two rows oh the flying field, but when darkness fell, with no sign of the Tainui arriving, they were placed in the hangar. Mr. Baikie took off for Thames at. dtisk, and a■; little later SquadronLeader Isitt and Mr. Mill returned to Hobsonville in their respective machines. •

PREVIOUS CROSSINGS FIRST JOURNEY IN 1928 The flight made yesterday by the Auckland airmen was the ,14th successful direct crossing of the Tasman Sea since Sir' Charles Kihgsford Smith made his original trip in 1928. The fastest time was made by the Faith in Australia, Mr. 0. T. P. trim's Avro 10, in April this year, when it flew from New Zealand to Australia in llh. 58m.

The times occupied on the 13 previous direct flights are as follows:

„ Year Time Faith m Australia—

to Australia .. . . 1934 llh 58m Mr. Guy Meuziea .. 1931 12h 12m Southern Cross to Australia. 1933 13h 9m Southern Cross to Australia 1934 13h 25m Southern Cross ti N.Z. .. 1933 14h 10m Faith in Australia—to Australia .. .. 1934 14h 10m _ -to New Zealand ... 1933 14h 03m Southern Cross to N.Z. .. 1928 14h 25m Southern Cross to N.Z 1934. 15h 25m Faith m Australia—; to New. Zealand ~ 1934' 15h 26m to Australia . . • .. 1934 15h 85m Faith in Australia 1934 ICh 88m Southern Cross to Austraha ,1928 221 i 61m