FRENCH AIRMEN

Southland Times, Issue 20463, 16 April 1928, Page 7

FRENCH AIRMEN

FROM TOKIO TO PARIS. AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, April 14. While interest is centred in the German trans-Atlantic flight the Frenchmen, Captain Costes and Lebrix, are completing a remarkable flight from Tokio. They arrived at Athens at 6.30 to-night, and are expected to reach Paris on Saturday night, covering Asia and Europe in six days. On Sunday and Monday they covered 2,500 miles, on Tuesday 1360, on Wednesday 1520 and on Thursday 1000, representing an almost superhuman effort. The route from Marseilles will be picked out with searchlights. Elaborate precautions are being taken at Le Bourget to protect the airmen from an enthusiastic crowd. A great reception is being planned in which the Government will participate. An amusing feature is that Lebrix has overstayed his leave, but the remarkable performance is likely to wipe out any naval breach.—Australian Press Association. ARRIVAL AT MARSEILLES. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Paris, April 14. The Frenchmen, Captains Costes and Lebrix, arrived at Marseilles on the completion of a world flight. Paris is preparing a tremendous reception.—Australian Press Association.

RETURN TO PARIS. TUMULTUOUS OVATION. (Rec. 11 p.m.) Paris, April 15. Captains Costes and Lebrix arrived at Le Bourget. Three squadrons of military aeroplanes went out to meet the flyers, who were surrounded by a vast crowd immediately they landed. Police barriers were demolished and the airmen seized by admirers and carried shoulder high to a specially prepared hangar, where M. Perrier, Minister of Colonies, welcomed them. Afterwards they were escorted by cavalry. They drove to Paris and subsequently appeared on the balcony of the Louvre building, where they were accorded a tremendous ovation. They looked thin, but cheerful. They left Paris on October 10 and covered 35,225 miles in 338 flying hours.—Australian Press Association.