AIR RACE DOST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18526, 12 October 1934, Page 9

AIR RACE DOST

£250,000 OtJTLAY

£350,000 PLANES

The England-Australia air race, which will start on October 20, will not only be the most' ambitious yet organised but the most, costly. The outlay wili probably exceed £250,0C0.‘ Figurs published by the London Daily Telegraph show that if, as expected, 40 planes start, ■ Petrol costs will amount t-o about £2O 000 • Warship* patrol, wireless, insurance, etc., are likely to involve an outlay ot £250,000. The gross value, of 40 machines would be £350,000. It is estimated that to run an aeroplane in the speed division of will cost anything from £2OOO to £3OOO. The handicap division will be less exacting. The first prize in the speed section will bo £IO,OOO, but it is pointed out that outside Australia this is not wortn more than £7,500. * . In view of the heavy cost entailed, the amount of the prize-money—of course, without criticism of the generous donor—is held by some to be too small, In fact out of proportion. Of the 64 original entries, 59 are still in the list, but it is expected that further withdrawals will reduce the number of starters to about 40. The gross value of the machines assembled at. Mildenhatl for the start on October 20 will,..thereforo, probably! be about £360,000. Petrol and oil alone will cost each .competitoi from £4OO to £650, an aggregate oi about £20,C00 if 40 competitors start. Many of the competitors are wiselytaking all possible measures to avoid failure to complete the course. Some, including three of the Americans, are going over the course chiefly by air, The K.L.M. line to Batavia and Australia air lines are the means in some cases. U.S. NAVY SUPPORT At least one of the British teams is sending to all the stopping-places to make special arrangements in order to ensure prompt service, and' some competitors are arranging for at least one representative at each of the compulsory landing-places. To the foreign competitors the cost of transport to England is a serious item. It is possible that American entrants may. be helped by the American Navy. One British entry may, in one stage, adopt refuelling in the air, but the longest stage being no more than >2600 miles before a compulsory stopping-place, there will be but little ad vantage in this jnothot).. At .one point, however, the organisation for it is in existence. Several of the pilots, ‘leaving nothing to ojiance, have taken, or are taking, special, .courses in “blind flying” and aerial navigation. Taking into account the warship patrol Iri the Timor Sea, the wireless find signalling organisation across Australia, insurance (about £SO.CCO in premuins). competitors’ expenses, and the preliminary organisation -in which the donor o< the prizes, the Royal Aero Club, and the Australian and various other Govern* mentfs and firms., are taking a share—kul wiifiout reckoning the standing value of • the oofnpeting machines, it may be roughly guessed that the race, will involve aii outlay of £250,000,