JAPANESE FLIERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22700, 12 April 1937, Page 9

JAPANESE FLIERS

TOKIO TO BRITAIN LESS THAN FOUR DAYS GOODWILL FLIGHT. COMPLETED By Telegrraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 10 Completing their flight from Tokio to England in 3 days 22 hours 18 minutes and beating the record from Tokio to Paris by no less than 71 hours 4G minutes, the Japanese airmen linuma and Tsukagoshi, arrived at Croydon at 3.30 p.m. yesterday from France in the Japanesebuilt high-speed monoplane Kamokaze (Divine Wind), sent on a goodwill flight to England for the Coronation.

The fliers were tumultuously welcomed. The Under-Secretary for Air, Sir Philip Sassoon, sent a message on behalf of Britain congratulating the aviators on their splendid record. The famous airman C. W. A. Scott, winner .of both the Melbourne and Johannesburg air races, says of the. Japanese achievement: "Our LondonMelbourne flight, which was done in 72 hours, was not comparable with this marvellous effort," which shows what commercial aviation will achie\e in the future." Flying-Officer D. Llewellyn, who held the Cape record, states that Japan has catapulted to the very front- of world aviation. The airmen had only 10 hours' sleep in the four days of the flight, r lhe pilot, i linuma, said there was no teirific adventure. The journey was mainly un- j eventful. The Japanese will remain for the j Coronation, and propose to fly with a j news-reel of the ceremonies to Tokio within four days. A tumultuous Welcome was accorded ; the Divine Wind at Rome. She was j escorted by Italian Air Force aeroplanes, j Italian and Japanese flags were en- j twined everywhere. WELCOME AT CROYDON OFFICIAL CONGRATULATIONS. JOURNEY OF 10,000 MILES British Wireless RUGBY, April O linuma and Tsukagoshi, the Japanese airmen, to-day completed the flight of 10,000 miles in 3 days 22 hours 18 minutes. They were cheered by a large crowd and greeted by the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. S. Yoshida, and Lord Sempill, Commander Perrin of the I?oval Aero Club, and the Director of Overseas Aviation. A message to the fliers from Sir Philip Sassoon stated: "It is a pleasure to welcome you hero on behalf of British aviation and to congratulate you on the splendid record you have established. We all appreciate the friendly spirit in which you set out from lokio to isit us, and are glad that you reached us safely and with great success." When linuma and Tsukagoshi reached Le Bourget they had nearly halved the previous record for the flight between Paris and Tokio. | Flights from the Far East to Europe j have been fewer than those in the reverse direction. The Post Office has made arrangements for the Japanese fliers to broadcast to Japan. CELEBRATION AT TOKIO COMMEMORATING FLIGHT TOKIO, April O Three-day celebrations are being held at Osaka and Tokio to commemorate the Divine Wind's flight, lji the Sinano province, which is the birth-place of the pilot, linuma, there will be pilgrimages to shrines, where prayers had been offered throughout the flight.