RECORD SHATTERED

Otago Witness, Issue 4039, 11 August 1931, Page 26

RECORD SHATTERED

AUSTRALIA TO ENGLAND MR MOLLISON’S FLIGHT. LONDON, August 6. Mr Mollison arrived at Croydon at 4.31 in the afternoon. During his flight from Athens he landed at Le Bourget Aerodrome (France). A pilot named Hannibar (a cross-channel flyer) warned Mr Mollison that there was bad weather ahead. They took off together, so that Mr Mollison could follow him, but the Australian lost his way as a result of bad visibility, and came down in a field at Pevensey Bay, where he was so exhausted that he was taken to a neighbouring house and given food, after which he rested for two hours. Then he flew to Croydon. Mr Mollison was sunburnt and weary, with bloodshot eyes. He said that although it had been an unpleasant flight he -was happy over having broken Scott’s record. He said his eyes were sore because his goggles had been lost overboard three days earlier—probably in India—but he was so weary that be could not accurately remember. The conditions were trying to-day, but when he landed at Pevensey Bay he got the local authorities to sign a declaration that he had descended there at 1.25. He said he now wanted nothing more than sleep, as he had averaged only two hours’ rest each day throughout the flight. BAD WEATHER IN CHANNEL. RUGBY, August 6. Mr Mollison encountered very bad weather, including thunderstorms, heavy rain, and dense fog, while flying across the Channel. He was welcomed by a large crowd at Croydon, where Mr Fred erick Montague (Under-Secretary for Air) congratulated him on his wonderful flight. He said: “I am sure that, not only this country, but the British Empire generally, will be proud of your splendid performance.” THE OFFICIAL TIME. LONDON, August 6. Mollison’s official time is 8 days 21 hours 15 minutes, beating Scott’s record of 10 days 13 hours 30 minutes. A GIFT OF £lOOO. LONDON, August 7. Mr A. E. Whitelaw, who presented Don Bradman with £lOOO for his record test match score, announces that he is making a gift of £lOOO to Mr Mollison. THE KING’S CONGRATULATIONS. RUGBY, August 7.

The King sent a congratulatory telegram to Mr Mollison, who is resting in London. Hundreds of other messages arrived to-day, including one on behalf of the Air Council from Lord Amulree (Air Minister), and telegrams from the Governor of New South Wales and Lord Wakefield, who financed the attempt.

MESSAGE FROM AMY JOHNSON. LONDON, August 8. Not being aware of Mr Mollison’s actual address, Miss A'my Johnson sent the following telegram:—“ Mollison, aviator, London—Congratulations magnifi cent flight. Hope you await my return.” Mr Mollison replied: “ Thanks. Will surely await your return.”

Mr Mollison left Wyndham on July 29, and his route was as follows: — First Stage.—Wyndham to Batavia, with a stop at Sourabaya for fuel. Second Stage.—Batavia to Rangoon, with a stop at Alor Star for fuel. Third Stage.—Rangoon to Allahabad, with a stop at Calcutta. Fourth Stage.—Allahabad to Basra, with a stop at Karachi. Fifth Stage.—Basra to Aleppo. Sixth Stagv—Aleppo to Athens. Seventh Stage.—Athens to Croydon, with a stop at Rome and Le Bourget. Mr Mollison, a well-known pilot of the Australian National Airways, is 26 years of age, and is regarded as having had the most varied flying experience of Australian pilots. He has always had the ambition to break the Eng-land-Australia air record. He served, five years in the Royal Air Force, flying various types of planes, and was for one year an R.A.F. instructor. In 1926 he served as test pilot in India. Later he went to the south of France, and piloted a seaplane for a private air company between Nice and Corsica. Later he decided to come to Australia, and on arrival here was appointed chief instructor for the South Australia Aero Club, which position he held for a year. He then joined the Eyre Peninsula Airways in South Australia, and later left that concern to join Australian National Airways. During the 12 months he has been with the Australian -Airways he has flown on all routes between Sydney and Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, and Melbourne and Tasmania. Mr Mollison is a quiet, unassuming man, with determination and doggedness. While a member of the Royal Air Force he was regarded as a boxer of unusual merit. The Vacuum Oil Company was responsible for the laying down of supplies all along the route traversed by Mr Mollison.

Mi 7 Mollison’s machine was fitted with a Vickers petrol pump of the latest type, which facilitates transfer of petrol from the main tank to the gravity tank. From the gravity tank there are two distinct systems to the carburetter. The machine is equipped will Pioneer instruments. These instruments enable the pilot to fly at night with perfect safety, and also to fly “ blind ” through clouds or fog. On account of the extra work entailed no conductor compass was installed. The machine is also fitted with Dunlop low-pressure air wheels by the De Havilland Air Craft Company (who, incidentally, were responsible for the rebuilding of the plane), and these wheels considerably decrease the hazards of landing on rough surface aerodromes or taking off on soft ground.