AIR RACE WINNERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22447, 17 December 1934, Page 12

AIR RACE WINNERS

GREAT WELCOME HOME LONDON, December 14. (Received Dec. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) From the time they reached Dover to-day Scott and Campbell-Black must have‘thought it was their Melbourne reception all over again. They were warmly greeted at Dover. A great crowd awaited them in London when they stepped from their carriage into the glare of the newsreel floodlights. They were required to make a speech before hurrying to the Grosvenor House reception, which was no sooner completed than they wore hustled to Broadcasting House, from which they retold the story of their flight. Wing-commander Marsden, on behalf of Mr Bruce, Campbell-Black’s father, mother and sister, and Air Ministry representatives were among those who greeted them at the station. Aero club officials and de Havilland lepiescntatives were present at Dover. A new “ Comet ” cocktail has been created in their honour. Scott and Campbell-Black were bombarded with congratulations and questions. They declined to discuss their plans for the future, though CampbellBlack admitted that racing had not lost its fascination for them. Such events as the proposed race from Paris to Saigon would probably attract them if the same financial and technical backing was forthcoming as in the Melbourne contest. Campbell-Black expressed the opinion that the Melbourne race was the greatest thing for aviation since the daily deadly competition in waitime, when the fight for supremacy produced rapid improvements. Campbell-Black was enigmatical regarding his reported engagement to the actress Florence Desmond. “If you see it officially announced, I shall expect congratulations from my triends.” In reference to the report that the winning Comet might never be flown again, Campbell-Black was not aware of any suggestion that it shorn become a museum piece. There was no reason why she should not be reflown. To-night’s series of welcomes is the first of a round of entertainment confronting the winners, in whose honour a number of functions will be held in the next few days.