AGAINST HEAVY ODDS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18546, 5 November 1934, Page 7

AGAINST HEAVY ODDS

SUCCESS OF THE COMETS UNTRIED MACHINES ATTACK ON CAPE RECORD (British Official Wireless.) Rce. noon. RUGBY, Nov. 4. The performance of Elight-Lieut. Catheart-Jones and Mr Ken Waller in the De ITavilland Comet aeroplane is all the more remarkable because Flight-Lieut. Jones took the place, at the last minute, of Mr Bernard Rubin, the owner of the plane, who was prevented by serious illness from flying in the race to Melbourne.

Flight-Lieut. Oiitheart-.loue.s had practically no previous experience of the Comet machine, which had been designed by l)e ilavilland’s under some pressure of time, and was, in fact., flown by all pilots ‘‘straight, off the drawing board.” None of tho crews of the three Comets had received their machines long enough liefore the event to allow a reasonable amount of practice. Expert • -'opinion, in those circumstances, estimated the odds at three to one against, any of the Comets reaching Melbourne. Consequently, air circles tire greatly impressed at the success with which the new type passed so severe a test. The Daily Express understands mat .Flight-.! dent. Cathcart-J'ones and Mr. Ken Waller intend to attack the Cape record with the same Comet.

They hope to make the return trip in a little over three days.