AVIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23330, 23 October 1937, Page 14

AVIATION

ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA MR BROADBENT HOPS OFF LONDON, Oct. 22. (Received Oct. 22, at 10 p.m.) Mr Broadbent started at 5 a.m. on his flight to Australia. The moon was shining brightly as he started across the aerodrome. His first stop will be Rome. He is flying the Leopard Moth in which he broke the Australia to England record. He wheeled the machine out of the hangar unaided. He said he intends to do a good deal of night flying and hopes to accomplish the flight in under five days. He did not know where he would pass Miss Jean Batten. Broadbent remarked: "I wish Jean had arrived before my departure to inspire me to break the record. Our idea is really to establish the shortest time from England to Australia and back. I hope both succeed." MISSING SOVIET FLYERS TEST OF SEARCHING PLANE NEW YORK, Oct. 22. (Received Oct. 22, at 5.5 p.m.) Sir Hubert Wilkins tested a new plane purchased by the Soviet from Mr Dick Merrill. He will probably set out for Winnipeg to-day so that skis and other winter equipment may be fitted there before he goes on to Alaska.