AROUND AUSTRALIA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19256, 21 August 1924, Page 2

AROUND AUSTRALIA.

ANOTHER BIG FLIGHT. COLONEL BRINSMEAD STARTS. {Ebom Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, August 14. Surmounted by a grinning black cat as a mascot and containing a sumptuouslyequipped cabin, a splendid new Do Haviland 50 aeroplane soared over Melbourne one morning towards the end of last week, escorted by seven Australian-built Avros and two other machines—a gallant array which, with a great purring sound, attracted the attention of nearly every citizen. It was the ceremonial start of another big flight around Australia, which is being undertaken by the Director of Civil Aviation, Lieutenant-colonel Brinsmead —one of the finest airmen that Australia produced during the war. Colonel Brinsmcad is accompanied by two highly competent officers—Laptain Jones, as pilot, and Civil Aircraft Inspector R, II Buchanan. 'J ho object is to make a survey of the existing and proposed Australian aerial routes, and it will involve covering great extents of country in which human habitations lie hundreds of miles apart. The trip, which will occup-v 28 days, is an important factor in the development of civil aviation in Australia. The machine is the latest type of aeroplane in Australia, and has been specially constructed for civil air work. The various stages of the flight are as follow: —Melbourne to Narromine (N.S.W.), 455 miles; Bourke, 655 miles; Charlovillq, 916 miles; Longreach, 1185 miles; Winton, 1295 miles; CToncurry, 1505 miles; Cam oo weal, 1705 miles; Burnette, 1895 miles; Newcastle Waters, 2105 miles; Catheuse, 2505 miles; Darwin, 2535 miles; Catherine, 2725 miles; Victoria River Downs, 2885 miles; Ord River Station, 3185 miles; Wyndham. 3365 miles; Moola Bulla. 3625 miles; Fitzroy Cross, 3850 miles; Derby, 4045 miles; Broome, '4149 miles; Port Headland, 4459 miles; Onslow, 4721 miles; Carnarvon, 4956 miles; Geraldton, 5234 miles; Perth, 5487 miles; Kalgoorlie, 5872 miles; Naretha, 6077 miles; Wirrumina, 6760 miles; Adelaide, 7080 miles; Nhill, 7300 mile?,; and Melbourne. 7620 miles.

“This is absolutely the last word in planes,” said Colonel Brinsmead, referring to the De Haviland. “It is unlucky to prophesy, hut I think everything will go off all right. The machine has been thoroughly examined. We are not out for stunts, and have plenty of hard work ahead of us. It will be work nearly all the time, with very little opportunity to ease oft. yOur 28 days will be fully occupied.

'T will have a lot to say regarding the developments when I return. We are prepared for any contingency that might arise.” Prior to the departure of the machine, Mrs Brinsmead fastened “Felix,” the mascot cat, to one of the stays of the machine.

“ i hat horrible grin will scare off the blacks if it does nothing else,” said one of the flying officers. In the cabin was assembled every convenience, and the interior resembled that of an expensive automobile. “I don’t know what she’ll look like when wo return,” said Colonel Brinsmead. Among the last articles taken on board were a quantity of smoke bombs. When no wind is perceptible, one of these will bo thrown out to give the necessary indication.