FLYING BOAT AWARUA
SEVERE STORM ENCOUNTERED TRAILING AERIAL FUSED (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Sept. 29. A severe electrical storm was encountered by the Tasman Empire Airways flying-boat Awarua about 400 miles out from Sydney on her way to Auckland to-day, and an electrical discharge fused the trailing aerial. The machine was not damaged or otherwise affected in any way, and all that the passengers knew of the incident was » brief flash of light. The trailing aerial, which is lowered from the pilot's compartment when the machine is in flight and wound in again prior to landing, was replaced by a spare one carried for such an eventuality. As a result of the prompt replacement, radio communication was interrupted for only a few minutes. In spite of the storm, which necessitated a deviation from the direct course the Awarua made a fast trip. With 14 passengers, she left Sydney at 6.12 a.m.. and reached Auckland at 1.53 p.m., the point-to-point time being 7hr 34min. Captain O. Garden was in command. The- passengers included Major-general Sir John Duigan, chief of the general staff, and Group-captain H. W. L. Saunders, chief of the Air Staff, who have been visiting Australia.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19400930.2.97
Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 24416, 30 September 1940, Page 9
Word Count
198FLYING BOAT AWARUA Otago Daily Times, Issue 24416, 30 September 1940, Page 9
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