THE FLYING MEN.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11960, 11 December 1919, Page 8

THE FLYING MEN.

Second Edition

FURTHER DETAILS OF- GREAT

ACHIEVEMENT.

United Press Association — By Elec trie Teiegraph-• Oopyright.

Received Dec 11, noon

Darwin, Dec 10

After the aviators passed the quarantine officer they were carried to the residence of the governor of the gaol where, replying brief speech of welcome; Russ Smith said the success was mainly due to the mechanics, Bennett and fc'.hiers, who worked tremendously hard The machine flew by way of Italy, Egypt. India and Burme, to Bangkok, then to Singapore. From Singapore the rente ran through Java, touching at Sourahaya, to Anatofo, in Timor. The last stopping place is 500 miles from Darwin, and the aeroplane left shortly after 8.00 this morning covering the flight in about seven hours. A good deal of bad weather was encountered on the way. Early in the flight the machine had to land at Pisa, on ground covered with about eighteen inches of water. Storms later were usually avoided by rising above them. At Akyab the Vickers Yimy overtook Pouiet, wfto was flying what cue of the aviators described as “a rotten old bus. ” They left about the same time as Pculet next morning, but beat him by an hour. Pouiet took this like a good sport, and next day both machines got under way for Bangkok. The storm encountered seemed to he too much for Pouiet and they saw him no more. The Vickers Yimy* had its worst time at Sourahaya. It landed on some reclaimed ground and was nearly bogged, going right down on one side till one wing was nearly in the mud. Next morning it threatened to stick fast, but about two hundred coolies were set to work and they ■covered an area 300 yards long with bamboo matting which enabled the machine to get a run and rise. The aeroplane was flying ver.y light during the last part of the voyage, as at Singapore the aviators jettisoned the photographic outfit and everything else that could be spared. “Not on your life,” said Ross ;Smith, when asked if he had a wireless outfit. “It weighs loOlbs -and would not be worth it, unleaa we had the means of giving absolutely accurate position. What would be the use of sending S.O. S. oall and wasting people’s time looking for us V” One of the aviators expressed the opinion that the disaster which overtook Rosa and Douglas was due to their having the machine overloaded. The aviators paid a tribute to the remarkable kindness and hospitality of the Dutch residents of the places stopped at. With the exception of a tew reserves, such as tin bully beef, the aviators carried no food, but depended on securing it at stopping places. Their last meal before reaching Australia was a few sandwiches given them before they left Timor. The weather in the Netherlands Indies was very bad, and very hot and close, except when they were actually flying well above the earth, and with" occasional storms. One of the mechanics summed up his views of the journey as a whole by saying that he would not do it again for £1 00,000. THE KING’S CONGRATULATIONS. London, Dec 9 The King cabled to Ross Smith: “Delighted at safe arrival. Your success brings Australia nearer the Mother Country, We warmly congratulate you and your crew.”