A RECORD BROKEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23352, 18 November 1937, Page 11

A RECORD BROKEN

CROYDON TO CAPETOWN FLYING-OFFICER CLOUSTON (United Press Association) (By Electric telegraph—Copyright) JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 16. Flying-officer Clouston reached Johannesburg at 2.8 p.m., Greenwich mean time, in the record time of 40 hours 13 minutes, beating Messrs Scott and Guthrie’s time in last year’s air race, Clouston arrived at Capetown at 8.55 p.m. He bettered Mrs Amy Mollison’s record by 1 day 8 hours 55 minutes. A REMARKABLE PERFORMANCE CAPETOWN, Nov. 16. (Received Nov. 17, at 8 p.m.) For the first time in the history of aviation Capetown has been brought within less than two days of London, Flying-officer Clour on and Miss Betty Kirby-Green having flown from Croydon to Capetown in 45 hours 4 minutes. Over a distance of 7050 miles the machine, me>.tained an average speed of 156.6 miles an hour, a truly marvellous performance * when the varying temperatures are taken into account. The aviators, however, were aided by perfect weather. A terrific welcome awaited them at Wingfield airport, Capetown, 20.000 people thronging round the machine and causing great danger to it. JEAN BATTEN’S MESSAGE CAPETOWN, Nov. 17. (Received Nov. 17, at II p.m.) The official time for Ijhe flight was 45 hours 2' minutes. Flying-officer Clouston said the machine behaved beautifully. The flyers did not arrive at Broken Hill till 5 a.m. because they were delayed at Khartoum, where it was discovered that they had not a permit to cross the Sahara. They were forced to chase round Khartoum for four hours to locate the authorities who were able to issue permits. The flyers will leave Capetown on their return on Thursday. Lord Swinton, Secretary of State for Air, telegraphed: “Best congratulations on your fine performance.”

Miss Jean Batten’s message was; “It is almost unbelievable time. I hope your luck holds out on the return.”