HELP IN CITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22695, 6 April 1937, Page 11

HELP IN CITY

THANKS OF OFFICIAL FRIENDLY ORGANISATIONS " FIRST FLIGHT THE HARDEST " Appreciation of the assistance given by individuals and organisations in New Zealand in connection with the flight to Auckland of the Pan-American survey Clipper was expressed yesterday by Mr. A. Francis, the company's meteorologist and operations manager in Auckland. He said the first flight was always the hardest, and as the route, ground organisation, communication channels and other factors were untried, anything might happen, and something usually did. Several situations which could not have been handled with the despatch achieved without help from others were recalled by Mr. Francis. Outstanding' was the sudden shifting of the wind from south-west to south-east on Sunday morning, after the channel-mark-ers had been placed for a south-westerly take-off. An inspection made at threo o'clock in the morning, shortly before the machine was expected to leave, showed that the wind had become south-easterly, which made it necessary to move the entire line of boats to a line running from the western end of the examination anchorage to Bean Rock. Air Force Assistance "Standing-by in the Air Force boat were Squadron-Leader M. W. Buckley, of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and a party of his men," Mr. Francis added. "I told him of the necessity for shifting the boats, and then returned to the Clipper, as tipie was moving too quickly toward the planned hour of take-off. This was about 3.20 a.m. At 3.38 a.m. the Clipper left ber moorings and was proceeding to the take-off area. When we left Waitemata Harbour I sent a 'blinker' to Squadron-Leader Buckley asking which boats were in position, and he answered that all were. As a consequence of this spendid piece of work on their part, we were able to get the ship off at 4.17 a.m."

Mr. Francis also paid a tribute to the expert manner in which the Air Force staff handled the Clipper's lines, and to the way in which they worked cheerfully at all times. Skilled men were essential when a mistake might mean a damaged machine. "Another organisation which not only helped, but really assured the safety of the survey flight, was the Meteorological Office of the Department of Scientific Besearch," he continued. "The director. Dr. E. Kidson, not only provided me with'reports, but also sent Dr. W. A. Macky, of the Wellington office, to help me with the charts which we prepared in Auckland. Aid of Meteorologist "This gave me the benefit of an experienced South Pacific forecaster's help, and such success as we had in keeping the Clipper out of storms was really due to this help. Though little physical effort was attached to this help, the hours that Dr. Macky kept in decoding signals and plotting charts would have worn out any ordinary individual. The Wellington office anticipated my problems and when I turned for help, they were already there prepared with the proper and safe advice." The part played by Mr. Brian Armstrong's 35-knot launch Mist-Chief \ras also acknowledged by Mr. Francis. He expressed his thanks to her owner, and said that had it not been for the boat and her speed, the Clipper's takeoff might have been delayed another 24 hours. The valuable assistance of the Auckland Harbour Board was praised by Mr. Francis, who mentioned the help given in patrolling to keep marine traffic out of the way at take-offs and landings, and in placing moorings. He also thanked Mr. F. B. Cadman for providing transport, and acknowledged the assistance of the press. "I can find no more friendly city than Auckland, nor any with crowds so considerate as were yours," Mr. Francife concluded. "In spite of the large crowds they were never in the way, and during refuelling they of their own accord refrained from smoking in the vicinity. I hope that the company sees fit to return me to Auckland later for a long stay on duty here."