FAST FLIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22949, 29 January 1938, Page 19

FAST FLIGHT

[LONDON TO DOMINION FOUR OR FIVE DAYS PLANS OF MR. A. E. CLOUSTON "JUST BE A NORMAL JOURNEY " [from our own correspondent] LONDON. Jan. 7 "It.will just be a normal flight as far as I am concerned. Thero is no record attempt about it, although it is possible that some records may be broken," said Flying-Officer A. E. Clouston, the New Zealand airman, dis- ' cussing his coming flight to Australia and New Zealand in the 220 miles an hour Comet machine. Ho will bo accompanied by Mr. Victor Rickotts, a Daily Express reporter, who will take spells at the controls. They expect to start, about February 15. "We hope to go out in four or five days to New Zealand and to spend about three days there," Flying-Officer Clouston said. "We expect the return trip to last about five days. If possible I want to' land at Motueka and I have cabled the Mayor to let mo know the dimensions of the local airport. ]f this is not possible wo shall land at Wellington. Tho full details of the trip have not yet been arranged. I havo got a fortnight's leave from tho Air Ministry. •which should bo quite sufficient. "I would like to have taken my wife Trith me, but it will not be possible ou this trip. Perhaps another time. Naturally 1 am looking forward to seeing New Zealand again a»d meeting my family and old friends." The Comet has been rebuilt and reengined for the new attempt. It will carry petrol sufficient for 2600 miles non-stop at 200 miles an hour, and at the stopping places time will be allowed only to take on petrol. The approximate distances of the flying stages will be: CroydonDamascus, 2100 miles; DamascusKarachi ,"2000; Karachi-Calcutta, 1400; Calcutta-Singapore, 1700; SingaporeDarwin, 2200; Darwin-Sydney, 2300; Sydney-Wellington, 1200. Flying-Officer Clouston is a test pilot at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborougli, Hampshire. He is aged 29. Mr. Ricketts is 25.

DESCRIPTION OP ARRIVAL BROADCASTING ARRANGEMENTS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] NELSON, Friday Arrangements are being made at Motueka to relay a description of Elying-Officer Clouston's arrival about February 5 or 6. The Motueka Borough Council has preparations well in hand for dealing with the large influx of visitors and appropriately marking the occasion.