AVIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20450, 3 July 1928, Page 9

AVIATION

ACROSS THE TASMAN. WITHIN THREE WEEKS. (United Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, July 1. Captain Kingsford Smith states that he hopes to commence his flight to New Zealand within the next three weeks if the weather is satisfactory.—Australian Press Association. AIRSHIP FOR POLAR WORK. GERMAN GOVERNMENT’S OFFER. LENINGRAD, July 1. The corfgress of the Aeroarctic International Society, which is studying the North Polar regions with the aid of airships, has been informed by the German Government that it is placing airship LAI27 at the society’s disposal. It will carry a crew of 35 with 16 scientists. The cost is estimated at £500,000. The congress has appointed a committee to make the necessary preparations. Dr Nansen is president of the society.— United Service. * CRUISE OF FLYING BOATS. A COMPLETE SUCCESS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 30. The cruise of the four Royal Air Force flying boats, which reached Melbourne yesterday, after covering 16,500 miles, and calling at 70 ports since their departure from England, has proceeded absolutely according to schedule, and entirely without mishap. Each flying boat weighs nine tons and carries a crew of four, with sleeping accommodation, stores and full equipment, including a collapsible rubber boat. The hulls of the flying boats are built of metal, and one of the main objects of the cruise was to determine the effect of tropical seas and heat on meta] construction. Complete- success has marked the experiment, for the hulls have withstood every kind of test met on the arduous journey. Two 500 h orse-power Napier-Lion water-cooled engines propel each of the craft at a maximum speed of 108 miles an hour. Their reliability has astonished the technicians. ’PLANE CRASHES ON CHURCH. PILOT AND PASSENGER KILLED. LONDON, July 1. While divine service was in progress an aeroplane crashed into the corner of Clifton Churchyard. The congregation was unaware of the crash, and the service continued tranquilly till the end, when the vicar was informed of the accident. He then recited prayers for the dead pilot and his companion.—Australian Press Association. RUSSIAN AIRMAN MISSING. NOT SIGHTED SINCE FRIDAY. MOSCOW, July 1. The Russian airman Rabushkin, who took off from the Malygin on Friday night, flying towards Foyn Island, has not been sighted since. It is feared that he is lost.—Australian Press Association.