MISHAP TO AEROPLANE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3833, 30 August 1927, Page 29

MISHAP TO AEROPLANE.

OVERTURNS IN LANDING. CHRISTCHURCH-AUCKLAND FLIGHT. BLENHEIM, August 27. Captain J. L. Findlay and Sergeant Simpson, on route from Christchurch to Auckland in D.H. 50 crashed in landing at Blenheim. The machine was rather seriously damaged, but both men were entirely unhurt. The aerodrome ground, which was under young crop, appeared to be in good order, and the machine actually made a splendid landing, but the ground in the centre of the field turned out to be very soft, the wheels sank in, the propeller struck the ground and the machine overturned. ■

Those present were relieved when the airmen crawled out unhurt. The machine’s propeller was smashed, the radiator ruined, the rudder damaged, ami generally the ’plane was strained. The machine is now being dismantled and hoisted into the hanger, awaiting repairs.

BRISTOL FIGHTER DESPATCHED. CHRISTCHURCH, August 27. Captain Buckley, of the Wigram Aerodrome, left for Blenheim at 11 o’clock with a Bristol fighter, which he w’ill hand over to Captain Findlay, who intends to fly on to Auckland

ARRIVAL AT HAWERA. HAWERA, August 27. Ihe Bristol fighter defence aeroplane, 'yith Captain J. L. Findlay and Sergeant Simpson, landed safely on the Hawera racecourse shortly after 4 o'clock this afternoon, after a two-hour trip from Blenheim. Owing to the lateness of arrival the journey north to Auckland was abandoned for the day. It is proposed to continue the last stage to-morrow morning subject to a suitable weather report. Captain Findlay states that it is intended to repair the wrecked D.H. 50 at Blenheim, The equipment will be sent on Monday, and the machine will be flown back when repaired. ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND. ' AUCKLAND, August 28.

Tn glorious weather Captain J. L. Findlay. of the Wigram Aerodrome, Christchurch, completed the last lap of his flight from Christchurch to Auckland, flying from Hawera to the northern city in two hours to-day. Fro, tan aeronautical viewpoint the long-distance flight of approximately 600 miles has been attended by a measure of success in nowise impaired by the unfortunate landing mishap at Blenheim when the first machine used was damaged. Occasioned by the desire of the Air Commission, which arrives in Auckland to-morrow, to have an aeroplane at iti disposal when inspecting sites suitable for mooring masts under the Empire Airship Service scheme, the flight was planned originally to be made in a Bristof fighter, the cruising radius of which was such that stops at Blenheim and Hawera were necessary. Eventually, however. Captain Findlay and his mechanic sei out from Christchurch at 6.50a.m. on Saturday in a D.H, type machine, th® most modern in New Zealand acquired by the Government for survey work. Th® stages of the original programme wen adhered to, although this aeroplane was capable of making the distance without landing. Shoitly after 8 a.m. the aviators were over Blenheim. A perfect landing was effected on a selected field, but the soil proved too soft, and almost as soon as the machine touched the earth the wheels sank into the ground and it toppled over, the propeller being splintered. The radiator burst, the rubber broke, and some struts and parts of tho fuselage were damaged, although not seriously. Captain Findlay and his mechanic were uninjured, and immediately arrangements were made to continue the flight in the Bristol fighter which was flown from Christchurch to Blenheim by Captain Bucklev.

Captain Findlay and his mechanic resumed their flight in the new machine at 2.30, and arrived at Hawera at 4 p.m. It was then too late to make Auckland in daylight, and the last lap of 200 miles was entered upon at 10.50 o’clock this morning. The most gloriously fine day in Auckland for months favoured the landing at tlie end of the journey at 12.47 p.m. The watchers in the landing field at Mangere, about eight miles from Auckland, overlooking Manakau Harbour, de•scried the. Bristol fighter living high under a white cloud-bank. Signal fires were lighted, and within a very few minutes the aeroplane was circling overhead, the aviators waving responses to the greetings from the crowd below. A perfect landing was effected just two hours after leaving Hawera. Congratulations were showered noon Captain Findlay and bis mechanic. Tho former, when complimented upon his skilful landing at Mangere, laughingly said: “I did something like that at Blenheim, but the ground was softer there.” At Hawera he mentioned, “they were greeted like Lindberghs.” Among those to welcome the fivers were Major T. M. Wilkes, director of air services.

The British airship mission will arrive at Auckland by the Aorangi from Svdnev to-morrow, and will confer with Major Will <es and Captain Findlay on the question of selecting possible sites for mooring masts for use in the suggested air transport scheme whereby passengers and mails will be conveyed from London to Melbourne in 10 days and to New Zealand in 11 days Although neither the Government of Australia or of New Zealand is committed to this Empire service plan, it is significant that the mission is coming at the request of the Commonwealth and Dominion Governments. The scheme is being effected bv tho development branch of the Air Ministry of Great Britain. Early next year the first of the great airships to be used will be ready to make its trial flight from Great to the Cape. When loaded to their fullest capacity they will have a cruising range of 4000 miles.