AVIATION

Southland Times, Issue 20204, 15 June 1927, Page 5

AVIATION

LINDBERGH HONOURED NEW YORK CITY EN FETE millions of people line STREETS (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) New York, June 13. Captain Lindbergh has arrived. He received decorations from Mayor Walker, of New York City, and Governor Smith, of New York State. The reception far surpassed anything ever before experienced here. The entire city assumed a carnival air. Millions lined Broadway from the Battery to the City Hall. Enormous cordons of police were utterly unable to cope with the crowds. It. took a considerable time to clear a path to enable Lindbergh to land from the cutter upon arrival by air from XV ashington. Bands played, whistles and sirens screamed, the streets were cluttered ankle-deep with confetti and streamers, some of which caught fire and almost created a panic. Showers of paper prevented the majority seeing Lindbergh. Hundreds of women fainted.—A. and N.Z. LINDBERGH’S SPLENDID ACHIEVEMENT. ADMIRATION IN BRITAIN. (Rec. 7.5 p.m.) London, June 13.In the House of Commons the Undersecretary for Air, replying to a question, said that Captain Lindbergh’s achievement had been noted with admiration and interest, and the merits of the monoplane for long distance flights would doubtless be considered. He stated that the aircraft used in the recent distance flights by the Royal Air Force had been in all cases purely service machines.—A. and N.Z. NON-STOP FLIGHT ABOUT TO START. CARR AND MACKWORTH FOR INDIA. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, June 13. It is anticipated that if the weather is favourable, Flight-Lieutenants Carr and Mackworth will leave Cranwell aerodrome on their attempted non-stop flight to India to-morrow morning. Another important test flight is due to begin to-morrow when bombing machines of the Royal Air Force will commence flights round England which will continue for 48 hours. Four bombing squadrons will be represented by 8 machines each, and in all there will be 64 pilots. Guns will be carried but no ammunition. The circular route to be covered is about 400 miles long. The test is designed to estimate the relative proficiency of bombing squadrons and to carry out training in the most practical way.—A. and N.Z. CARR AND GILLMAN’S FLIGHT. DRAMATIC STORY OF FAILURE. (Rec. 7 p.m.) London, June 13. Flight-Lieutenant Carr and Mackworth to-morrow, weather permitting, start on a non-stop flight to India in a HawkerHorsley bomber, carrying petrol in tanks sufficient for 4,500 miles. The event seems like developing into an international flight, as D’Oisey leaves Le Bourget to-morrow for the same destination. The dramatic account is now for the first time disclosed of how the British non-stop plane flying to India fell in the Persian Gulf, practically in sight of its goal, which would have given the world’s record to Britain. It is revealed that the plane fought for the greater part of the distance against a wind which did not handicap the Atlantic flyers. During the night when flying across Irak, the plane battled against a head wind, nevertheless it was then ahead of scheduled time. Lieutenant Carr was controlling the machine in the darkness at a great height, while Lieutenant Gillman was asleep. Owing to the intense heat Carr removed his helmet, which it is believed caused slight deafness. A few minutes before the break of dawn he reduced the engine’s revolutions in order to economise fuel. The engine developed an unusual note. Carr awakened Gillman and warned him that he feared the engine was failing them. Almost instantly it ceased. Then commenced a forced descent in the darkness in the Persian Gulf, which was skilfully executed, the machine alighting in the water perfectly.—A. and N.Z. DE PINEDO’S FLIGHT. PROMOTION TO GENERAL PROBABLE. (Rec. 9.5 p.m.) Rome, June 14. It is understood that de Pinedo on his return from Barcelona will be promoted to General and appointed Chief of Staff of the Air Force, in succession to General Armani.—A. and N.Z.