MOTH ’PLANE’S FLIGHT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3864, 3 April 1928, Page 35

MOTH ’PLANE’S FLIGHT.

AUCKLAND. TO CHRISTCHURCH.. TRIP COSTS LESS THAN £5. a i. CHRISTCHURCH. March 29; tO for under £5. That is what it cost Mr and Mra Douglas Mill to fly down in a Moth aeroplane. Mr and Mrs Mill arrived at the .Wigram Aerodrome at 12.21 p.m. to-day Leaving Blenheim at 10.18 a.m. they covered the 180-mil e trip in two hours and three minutes. There was a fair number of spectators at the aerodrome half an hour before the Moth arrived, and when Captain L. XL Isitt and CapM ’x Buck,e y took off in Bristol fighters to go out to meet the Moth interest heightened. Later Captain J L Findlay took the fast Gloster-Grebe machine up to participate in the welcome to Mr and Mrs Mill. The local aeroplanes met the Moth on the city side of Kaiapoi, and escorted it over ’the city and then to the aerodrome, the Grebe stunting overhead meanwhile. The honour of landing first was given to the visitors, and as the silver and blue Moth swung round and descended towards the ground there was a rush to see it at close quarters. Expressions of surprise at - the smallness of the machine were heard on all sides, and as Mr and Mrs Mill alighted they were congratulated by many fnends, but it was the machine more than its owners that excited the most attention. Small and nicely proportioned, with an absence of many of the struts usually associated with aeroplanes, it was hard to believe that the machine was thoroughly reliable, and that it had just came down from a lengthy flight. For those who possessed technical knowledge tile 30 h.p. Cirrus engine proved to be a magnet, and it was quickly and closely examined. Some idea of the ease with which the machine can be stored was given when the owner in less than five minutes folded both wings back to the sides of the fuselage. It was then wheeled into one of the hangars, taking about the same amount' of room as a motor car. Perhaps the most interested spectator was Sir Henry Wigram, who, with Lady Wigram, was at the aerodrome for nearly an hour -before the Moth arrived. He was watching the realisation of his dream of private flying in. New Zealand. Mr Mill, it may be mentioned, flew with Captain Isitt from Hendon to Venice to witness the last Schneider Cup race. ‘‘ It was a good trip. That’s about all there is to say about it," said? Mr Mill. “ There were a few low clouds over the Cheviot Hills. I don’t know the way in very well, so I followed the train lines.” On the flight down from Blenheim there was a following wind of about 20 miles an hour, added Mr Mill.' The trip was made at a speed of about 75 miles an hour. The Moth is fitted with an aerial camera which was operated by Mis Mill. Only one photograph was taken, this being of the Kaikoura Spit. The weather was too> hazy for taking any more photographs. Mrs Mill told the reporters that the trip was enjoyable, but beyond saying that the passage was both quick and comfortable she would not give any other views, saying that her husband would tell the reporters all about it. Mr Mill can claim to be the pioneer of light aviation in New Zealand, for his Moth is the first of the type seen in the Dominion. On the flight down from Blenheim the engine did just ver 20 miles to the gallon. " Hgw much did the trip cost?” the airmail was asked. “ Well, here are the figures,” Mr Mill replied.- We took in 14 gallons of benzine at Blenheim, eieht at Hawera, and eight at Hamilton.' Then we bought a couple of gallons of oil, too. I’ve got as much in the tank now as I had when I left, so you se.e £5 will more than cover the .cost of the trip, for twu people and their luggage.”