AVIATION

Southland Times, Issue 20527, 2 July 1928, Page 7

AVIATION

BRITISH FLYING BOATS. ARRIVAL AT MELBOURNE. Melbourne, June 30. The four British Southampton flying boats have arrived. A large gathering welcomed them.—Australian Press Association. AMBITIOUS FLIGHT COMPLETED. Rugby, June 29. The four Royal Air Force flying boats of the Southampton all-metal type, which arrived at Melbourne to-day have completed the most ambitious service flight ever attempted. It has been remarkable for the fact that the machines have throughout flown according to the fixed schedule and without mishap. After remaining in Melbourne for about two months, during which time the vessels will be overhauled, they will proceed along the East and North Coasts of Australia to Singapore, which will be their base in future.—British Official Wireless. THE LAST WORD. BRITAIN’S NEW BOMBER. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, June 30. The public gasped and foreign attaches were amazed at the first public appearance at Hendon’s annual pageant of Britain’s last word 20 ton bomber.

The inflexible, vicious looking all metal three-engined monoplane has a one hundred and fifty foot span, up-tilted backbent rakish wings, is amazingly mobile and a quick climber. —Australian Press Association. BIPLANE CRASHES. PILOT INCINERATED. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Paris, June 30. A biplane piloted by Captain Brager, accompanied by a mechanic, during an aerial pageant at Vincennes, caught fire and fell among the panic stricken spectators. Captain Brager was incinerated and the mechanic seriously injured. When falling, the machine crushed two women who were dangerously injured.—Australian Press Association.