AT MILDENHALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22398, 20 October 1934, Page 13

AT MILDENHALL

FINAL PREPARATIONS PLANES READY TO START PROSPECT OF GOOD WEATHER (British Official Wireless.) (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) RUGBY, October 18. The competing machines in the Eng-land-Melbourne Air Race will be taken from their hangars at Mildenhall on Saturday one hour before the first plane is signalled off at 3.30 a.m. Only bad visibility or fog will delay the start of the race. If the weather conditions are such that none of the planes has been sent off by 10 a.m. on Saturday, morning it is likely that the start will bo postponed until Sunday, as all competitors are anxious to have as much daylight flying as possible for their first hop. At present, however, there is every prospect of favourable weather over Europe on Saturday. NEW ZEALAND COMPETITOR LONDON, October 18. H. D. Gilman arrived at Mildenhall in the darkness. He received a cable of good wishes from his mother in Auckland. He asked the Sun-Herald Service to tell her that he will try to put up a show worthy of her. A COMET DAMAGED LONDON, October 18. The undercarriage of a Comet collapsed when landing and the propellers were damaged. The plane may be unable to start in the air race. CathcartJones was piloting the plane, which was heavy, and in landing apparently pushed the wheels up into the engine. De Havillands state that it may be repaired in time for the start of the race. THE ORDER OF STARTING LONDON, October 18. After the ballot the committee announced the starting order at intervals of 45 seconds, as follows: — Numbers 63, 6, 29, 19, 6, 68, 34, 44, 46, 33, 15, 62, 36, 00, 35, 7, 31, 2, 47, 14, 16. It was announced that, owing to their late arrival, it was impossible for Gilman and Baines to undergo the tests necessary for the handicap event. The committee is endavouring to complete sufficient tests to enable participation in the speed race. Every effort is being made to fit No. 19 (Cathcart-Jones) for the race, but long after dark it was still in the centre of the aerodrome, where the accident occurred. Cathcart-Jones is uncertain of the cause, but believes that he must have landed with his wheels partly retracted.

The improvement in the weather enabled many pilots to seize the opportunity for trial flights. No. 29 (Fitzmanrico and Bonar) raced across the aerodrome at great speed. It was decided that all machines be lined up level and start from left and right-hand sides alternately. The Air Ministry Meteorological Officer has given encouraging reports of the weather conditions. Tail wind prevails right across Europe, promising the flyers valuable assistance most of the way to Bagdad. SINGAPORE PREPARATIONS SINGAPORE, October 19. (Received Oct. 19, at 11.30 p.m.) The stage is set for the arrival of the planes at the local aerodrome. The weather between Victoria Point and Singapore is generally fair, with light, winds. The visibility is good, and heavy, but local, showers are likely within the next 24 hours. TREMENDOUS INTEREST LONDON, October 19. (Received Oct. 19, at 9 p.m.) Tremendous interest is being shown in the Air Race. The Daily Mail expresses the opinion that, if the wind continues to blow, as predicted, at 50 miles an hour from the north-west, Melbourne will possibly be reached under three days.