AVIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20281, 14 December 1927, Page 10

AVIATION

SCHNEIDER CUP RACE. BRITAIN’S PLANS NOT DECIDED. *l*ree» AneociatloD—By Telegraph-—CX>p/rlgbt.| LONDON, December 12. The aeronautical export of the Morning Post says that Signor Mussolini bas ordered the Machi and Fiat firms immediately to build aeroplanes which will wrest the Schneider Cup from Britain at all costs. America and Germany also intend to compete. Meanwhile Britain’s plans are not decided, as the holder must defend the trophy against the utmost efforts of two or three Governments, yet tne Royal Air Force pilots are forbidden to participate, while the Air Ministry is only willing to bear a proportion of the cost of any other competitors.—A. and N.Z. Cable'. CAPTAIN KINGSFORD SMITH. A FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA. NEW YORK. December 12. (Received Dec. 13, at 5.5 p.m.) A message from Oakland, California, states that Captain Kingsford Smith and Ulm moved Che spirit of California from Mills, Field, San Francisco, to Oakland Municipal Airport to-day, and announced that if all went well they would begin a flight to Australia within 72 hours. Apparently they have abandoned their intention to attempt the endurance record. To-morrow morning the ’plane will be put to the air for the full load test, and Captain Smith says that if this is as successful as he anticipates the ’plane will be prepared immediately for starting on the Australian flight. CRASH NEAR DETROIT. PILOT AND MILLIONAIRE KILLED. NEW YORK. December 12. (Received Dec. 13, at 9 n.m.) An aeroplone en route to Fort Wayne from Detroit crashed, killing Captain John Zeigler, the pilot, and Mr C. J. Parker, a millionaire manufacturer. Two other passengers were iniured. Motor trouble caused the pilot to attempt a forced landing, and the nlane over turned and was demolished.—Sydney Sun Cable.