VALUABLE EXPERIENCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18387, 3 May 1934, Page 5

VALUABLE EXPERIENCE

FLIGHT TO ENGLAND RECORD-BREAKING TRIP THRILL OVER TIMOR (EJec. Te!. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received May 3, noon.) LONDON, May 2. v Mr. ,T. A. Mollison deplores the Aero Club’s decision not to recognise Messrs. Rubin and Waller’s record flight. Iso says it was a wonderful achievement for them and for British engines. Messrs. Rubin and Waller had a thrilling moment over the Timor Sea during their fight from Australia, when their engine suddenly ran faulty and the machine lost height. The men, who were perturbed, then remembered that one tank that had not been properly filled had run dry. It was only a matter of switching from one tank to the other.

They reached Calcutta on April 20, and Aleppo on April 30, and left Rome this morning. The worst day’s flying, with low clouds, was across France. They flew blind through a Channel fog till they saw a house which they recognised as a friend’s, bungalow at I’eveusey, and landed at Fast bourne. Only 30 people saw the landing, their arrival being quite unexpected. Mr Waller explained that nvhen they left Danvin they had no idea of breaking the record, but as they got on, they found they wore making good time and decided in the last two days to go all our. The trip was most valuable in giving them a better chance in the Melbourne race.

The'worst section was from Rangoon to Singapore, and also from Danvin southwards over rough country with to place for landing. The fog was so bad at Le 'Touquet that the authorities forbade their departure. After waiting for a while they were allowed to go, having signed a document freeing the aerodrome staff from responsibility.