AVIATION

Southland Times, Issue 20209, 21 June 1927, Page 7

AVIATION

CARR MAKES HISTORY A WONDERFUL LANDING DESIGNERS OF ’PLANE AMAZED (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) London, June 19. Flying history was made by Carr’s magnificent landing, his giant plane being undamaged. Aviation circles ring with his praises. Even the designers are amazed and say they believed it impossible to land safely during the first 12 hours in view of the enormous weight of petrol. It was obvious as he circled that Carr was uncertain whether to jump in the parachute and allow the machine to fall. Experts, aware of the grave danger, held their breath. However, at the moment for landing Carr gave the engine two brief throttles and landed perfectly even though experts still say it is impossible theoretically. Keen disappointment is expressed at the failure of the flight.—A. and N.Z. POSTPONEMENT OF FLIGHT NECESSARY. London, June 19. “It is unlikely we will restart our flight before the autumn,” says Flight-Lieutenant Carr, “as the engine must be taken out and overhauled, necessitating several days’ work. Meanwhile the monsoon has occurred and is advancing towards the region of our flight for which a postponement is necessary.”—A. and N.Z." CARR A NEW ZEALANDER. Flight-Lieutenant Charles Roderick Carr, who, with Flight-Lieutenant Gillman, accomplished the remarkable flight from England to the Persian Gulf last month, is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Carr, of Rotorua. Lieutenant Carr, who is thirtyfive years of age, was born at Feilding, and completed his education at Wellington College, where he remained three years. After leaving school he was engaged in farming with his father at Palmerston North until the outbreak of war, when he joined the Third Reinforcements. He proceeded to England, where he obtained a commission in the Royal Flying Corps in 1915, and saw service on the western front and in Russia. Lieutenant Carr won the Distinguished Flying Cross, and received two Russian decorations. He passed through the war unscathed. He remained in the Royal Air Force after the cessation of hostilities, and has had a distinguished career as a pilot. He accompanied Sir Ernest Shackleton on his last expedition to the Antarctic, being lent by the Air Ministry for the purpose of carrying out aerial survey work. Mr. Charles Carr, the airman’s father, is now seventy years of age, and is living in retirement at Rotorua, where two sons, Edward and Malcolm, are farming a block of 2,000 acres. Another son, Laurence, is in America. The last letter received by Lieutenant Carr’s parents was written prior to his departure on his flight to the Persian Gulf. IMPRESSIVE SUCCESSES. London, June 19. The Daily Telegraph’s expert states that the American and French each have a long list of aerial failures, but the successes of Lindbergh and Chamberlain are impressive, as there was no failure in their case, the engines and installation being perfect’ —A. N.Z. GERMAN PROJECT. BERLIN TO NEW YORK. Berlin, June 19. Anton Koennecke, the famous wartime aviator, is starting in July on a non-stop flight from Berlin to New York and San Francisco in an all-metal, triple-engined machine, carrying mails and petrol supply for 70 hours.—A. and N.Z. CHAMBERLAIN AND LEVINE. Berlin, June 19. Chamberlain and Levine have departed for Munich, flying in the Columbia, escorted by four aeroplanes containing the airmen’s wives and American journalists.—A. and N.Z. and Sun. CHAMBERLAIN AT VIENNA. WONDERFUL WELCOME. (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) Vienna, June 19. The airman Chamberlain was welcomed at the Vienna aerodrome by a vast concourse of people. An escort of Austrian ’planes participated in the latter part of the flight.—A. and N.Z. DE PINEDO. BRITISH PRAISE. APPRECIATION FROM ITALIAN PRESS. Rugby, June 18. Sir Ronald Graham (British Ambassador in Rome) states in his letter to the Italian Prime Minister: “It is with the deepest pleasure that I convey the proposal of giving to the greatest flier the highest decoration that can be conferred on a British aviator. British men followed the Marchese de Pinedo’s latest feat with the utmost interest, and also recall his previous flight, when he landed at several British ports, where he left an unforgettable record of sportsmanship, frankness, unpretentiousness, skilfulness, and efficiency.” The conferment of this honour is greeted by the Italian Press with many expressions of appreciation.—British Official Wireless. GERMAN WOMAN AVIATOR. Berlin, June 19. Fraulein Thea Rasche, Germany’s only woman aviator, who piloted the aeroplane on which Levine flew from Berlin to Madgeburg, states that she is going to America to emulate Alcock and Brown’s feat of flying from St. Johns (Newfoundland) to Ireland.—A. and N.Z. and Sun.