AVIATION

Southland Times, Issue 20205, 16 June 1927, Page 7

AVIATION

LONG DISTANCE RECORD D’OISEY’S ATTEMPT ENDS UN DISASTER DRAMATIC ESCAPE FROM BLAZING MACHINE (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.)* Paris, June 14. D’Oisy’s and Gouin’s take-off and escape from a blazing ’plane is one of the most dramatic episodes in the history of aviation. After deciding to postpone the venture D’Oisy suddenly resolved to start. In the presence of a few at Le Bourget he took off perfectly after a long run, but had an obvious difficulty in rising owing to the stormy atmospheric conditions and the added six tons load. D’Oisy resolved to land at the first opportunity, but was compelled to fly for two miles as low as 35 feet before reaching a field sufficiently large to land. Seeing a corn field he descended and landed perfectly. The machine taxied at a terrific pace for twenty yards, when without warning the landing wheels collapsed. D’Oisy shouted “Jump,” and he and Gouin leapt out just as the thousand gallons of petrol exploded and the machine became a mass of flames. Both men crawled clear and rolled in the wheat to extinguish the flames which had already caught their clothing. D’Oisy’s hair was singed and one baud slightly injured. The accompanying ’plane and pilot, seeing the airmen were safe, immediately returned to Le Bourget with tidings for the wives who were terrified spectators of the blazing machine. Meanwhile scores of aeroplanes, cars and ambulances rushed to the scene and were overjoyed to find the men alive. The airmen regretfully left the debris of the machine and motored to Le Bourget, thence to Paris. The meteorological bulletin was distinctly bad, but D’Oisy was very anxious to be ahead of Carr and Mackworth, who are still waiting at Cranwell. Aviation circles are deeply disappointed because so much was expected of the fight. —A. and N.Z. SENSATION AT TEMPELHOF. BAILIFF ATTACHES CHAMBERLAIN’S ’PLANE. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Berlin, June 14. There was a mild sensation when a bailiff appeared at the Tempelhof aerodrome and announced that he was instructed to attach and auction the Columbia aeroplane unless Levine paid £2,000 to Dr. Puppie for medical attention while Levine was on a visit to Germany in The machine was saved from seizure only after combined intervention by the American Embassy, German Foreign Office and Prussian Ministry of Justice. The lastnamed reprimanded the Tempelhof District Judge, who issued the writ. Settlement was based on a cash payment and mutual apologies.—A. and N.Z. NUNGESSER AND COLL Ottawa, June 14. A message from Quebec stated that the forest workers have been organised to explore the St. Germain region and the mountains as a result of a report from forest rangers that signal fires have been seen. It is considered possible that Nungesser and Coli landed and became stranded during their Atlantic flight.—A. and N.Z. MARRIAGE AND FLYING. DRASTIC ITALIAN ORDINANCE. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, June 14. A drastic choice between flying and marriage is given to Italian airmen in a Bill at present before Parliament. It precludes every officer from marrying before thirty, on the grounds that the affections and obligations of family have a marked influence on the equanimity of the airmen. English experts regard the prohibition as absurd. The Air Ministry says that such a measure would never be contemplated in England, where there is no preference to married or single airmen. “Marriage does not affect ability. For example, Gillman, who is married, was thirty-six hours in the air on the Indian non-stop trip. Mackworth Carr’s new comrade is married.” An official stated that Captain Courtney's wife said, “It is a stupid idea. Marriage stabilises a man and makes him more serious.” The majority of the pilots in the civil airways of Europe are married.—A. and N.Z. PROGRESS OF AUSTRALIAN FLIGHT. (Rec. 7.5 p.m.) Cairo, June 14. The aviator, Rook, has arrived at Heliopolis.—Sun Cable.