TO FLY TASMAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21645, 16 May 1932, Page 9

TO FLY TASMAN

KINGSFORD SMITH AGAIN ■ LIKES NEW ZEALAND. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, May 5. K It cart be fairly definitely stated that' Air-commodore Kingsford Smith will' again fly the Tasman in October or November this year, using once more hisfamous Southern Cross, which ts nowl undergoing a complete overhaul. Mr Lv U. Allen will be his co-pilot, and his radio operator will be Mr J. M. Stannagc,' who has acted in a similar capacity on' previous long-distance flights with commodore Kingsford Smith. Since he returned from England after* his unsuccessful attempt to the record from Australia to Britain ford Smith has not had the best of luck. He is still recognised as Australia’s greatest airman, but apparently no place. can be found for him in the aerial services of the Commonwealth. He has not shown the least resentment at the. treatment that has been meted out to; him, but he has done his best to retrieve his fortune, much of which has been lost, in a civil aviation venture which was - - doomed to failure because it was launched at the beginning of the worst of the depression. He then engaged in joy riding, many people being only too willing to grasp the opportunity of a flight with Kingsford Smith. However, he met with two mishaps that were very costly, and the last very nearly wrecked tire “ old bus ” as he affectionately calls his famous machine. t The Southern Cross will be ready to' .take the air again in about a week’s time, and it will be practically a new machine, for every nut and bolt has been tested, and many of them replaced. Other parts of the machine have been renewed, and it is expected that the■ engine itself, after the thorough dverliaul it is now receiving, will be as good -v ns ever it- was, ami that is saying a.' groat deal. Kingsford Smith says that; he has discussed his Tasman project with many people, and lie has admitted to - them his love for New Zealand and New ’ Zealanders. He is convinced that the > Dominion would be a great place for , joy-riding, and that is why he is anxi-e ous to pay a visit as soon as possible... He is so confident of his ability to fly ■ across the Tasman again that he would,, not dream of shipping the Southern-, Cross. It is his desire to spend th® -; whole of next summer in New Zealand. , Before leaving he will visit various Aua-., tralian States, and hopes to be in Queens- , land for the Royal Show there in August.,,.