FLYING BOAT GUBA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23828, 7 June 1939, Page 12

FLYING BOAT GUBA

ARRIVAL AT BATAVIA BATAVIA, 'June 5. The flying boat Guba alighted at Batavia 24 hours after leaving Port Hedland. The Guba was in touch with the Cocos Island radio station, which has a range of only 300 miles, for more than five hours. The Guba must have circled round the island for nearly three hours without being able to find it in a murky haze. HOP TO COCOS ISLAND

TAKING OFF AT DAWN BATAVIA, June 8. (Received June 6, at 11.55 p.m.) Mr J. Percival, the official correspondent aboard the Guba, says:— "Provided the weather reports are satisfactory, the Guba will take off for Cocos to-morrow at dawn. Although the flight from Batavia to Cocos is comparatively short, thp Guba's tanks will be filled, giving it a range of about 4000 miles in still air, and it will carry sufficient rations and water to last a fortnight. Prior to leaving Sydney, Captain Taylor had an efficient still made which is capable of converting salt water into fresh at a useful rate. Our flight on Sunday night and during yesterday was made interesting by continuous contact with Australian coastal stations nt Sydney and Perth. The Guba's owner. Mr Richard Archbold, and his American crew are giving the fullest co-operation v(ith Captain Taylor and have entered into the spirit of the survey with the greatest enthusiasm. Captain Taylor arid Captain Yancey are absorbed in, each other's methods of navigation. Every now and then Captain Yancey can be seen taking sight aft, while Captain Taylor is working forward. " Heavy tropical rain was encountered on Sunday night, but not a drop came into the cockpit. The Guba may remain at Cocos Island for three or four days and then take off for the Chagos Archipelago. This will be the longest ocean hop. Arrangements have been made for a ship to be near Chagos during the flight to provide radio aids to navigation, if required.