CAPE FLIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23169, 15 October 1938, Page 14

CAPE FLIGHT

BRITISH SEAPLANE FINE PERFORMANCE EXPERTS SATISFIED SUCCESS OF TAKE-OFF By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright (Received October 14, 6.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGFY, Oct. 13 Aeronautical experts are very satisfied with the performance of the seaplane Mercury during her flight from Dundee to Capetown, and in particular with her launching from the lower half of the composite aircraft Maia. This, in spite of the fact that at the moment of release every square foot of wing area was called upon to sustain "451b., and the weight of power ratio was 20lb. per horse-power. Such a combination of wing loading and power loading has never before been carried into the air. Persistent. and adverse winds robbed the Mercury of the long-distance record, as she was forced down owing to the exhaustion of petrol, and there was inevitably some regret as the floats, each of which is capable of taking 600 gallons of petrol, were only loaded with 475 gallons. The Mercury was already carrying - 70001b. more than on her transatlantic flight, and, although the experience of ■ the last launch has shown that more ambitious starting loads may be allowed with safety, it is fully recognised that the programme of experiment by stages, with the novel device of mid?air launching, is the only prudent one. The future programme of the Mercury is under consideration. It is suggested she may make another surA vey flight with mails across the North Atlantic, resuming the project from - which she was switched for the South r African flight. She might attack the long-distance record again. A third alternative would be a long journey well within her capacity over a. route which has not at present been disclosed.