TRANS-POLAR FLIGHT

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12434, 30 April 1926, Page 7

TRANS-POLAR FLIGHT

WILKINS’S AIRPLANE FAILS UNABLE TO TRANSPORT PETROL NO NEWS OF WILKINS By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received April 29. 8.30 p.m.) VANCOUVER, April 28. According to advices from Fairbanks, Alaska, it is authoritatively stated that the Detroiter, the threeengined airplane of the Wilkins Arctic Expedition, so far has been unable to caTry a load of fuel sufficient to,fly to and, from Point Barrow, 520 miles north of Fairbanks. The transportation of fuel by airplane from Fairbanks to Point Barrow has proved impracticable, and it is stated that supplies will be shipped by steamer through the Behring Strait around the northern tip of Alaska to Point Barrow. It is stated that this is nossible only in the summer. The fate of Wilkins and Eielson, who flew north from Fairbanks more than a week ago, is still unknown. -NORGE ALSODELAYED COMMANDER GROWS ANXIOUS ASKS PERMISSION TO START. Published in “Tho Times" RIGA, April 28. Colonel Nobile is uneasy at the unexpected delays and has telegraphed Captain Amundsen, requesting permission to resume the flight at the earliest opportunity, lest the wet snow, falling in consequence of the warm weather, should increase the Norge’s weight by several tons, and compel her descent under unfavourable conditions. The airship Norge is at Leningrad, and Colonel Nobile is awaiting instructions to sail for Spitzbergen.