OVER THE RADIO

Southland Times, Issue 20616, 15 October 1928, Page 5

OVER THE RADIO

INVERCARGILL LISTENERS-IN. FINAL STAGES OF FLIGHT. Listeners-in throughout the day in Invercargill were kept closely in touch with the plane through messages from the New Zealand stations. Many radio enthusiasts remained at their posts throughout the night, loath to go to bed until they heard that the airmen had landed safely. A Times reporter through the courtesy of Mr P. C. Hazeldine listened-in to the story of the later stages of the flight. Summarized the announcements were as follows: At 9.18 it was announced that no further particulars had come to hand. At 8.45 (Sydney time) 2FC announced that the plane was 230 miles from Sydney and travelling 70 knots per hour. From then on various rumours came to hand most of which proved to have no foundation in fact. It was announced at one period in the early hours that the plane was reported as being only 20 miles from Sydney and should land within a few minutes, but at that time the plane must actually have been 150 miles at least from Sydney. Station 2BL Sydney had switched over to Richmond aerodrome and the announcer there proceeded to give particulars of the arrival of the crowd and also to describe the lighting arrangements which would enable the plane to land in safety. Several tests of the lighting had been made during the afternoon, but something went wrong in the evening the big main floodlight going out and causing concern whether sufficient light would be available for the landing. The announcer remarked that the headlights of the numerous cars on the ground would also be utilized for lighting up the actual ground where the plane would land though the announcer surmised that it might just be possible that the airmen would prefer to cruise round till daylight rather than take the risk of a landing in an inadequate light. The crowd was streaming in all this time though the ’drome is 38 miles from Sydney, and Mrs Ulm and Mrs Smith, senr., were waiting in a car just opposite the announcer. It was then announced that the plane was reported over Newcastle and should be at Richmond in a few minutes, but as the announcer remarked he had been saying that all evening and they did not quite know what to think or believe. Listeners were then switched back to the studio where musical items were broadcasted to beguile the time. The announcer then reported that they were receiving morse signals from the plane, but that static was too bad for them to be read. At a later period the morse signals were broadcast and came through very strongly, and it was announced that the airmen were asking about ground fog on the landing ground and had been given the required information. This proved that the plane was getting very close and excitement was running high both on the ground and at the receiving sets. Visitors were again switched back to the ’drome and the announcer there again proceeded to describe the crowd which was pouring into the ground. Many were in evening dress and groups were seated on the ground. Some were producing bottles and making a picnic of it. Just after this it was reported that’ the plane was over part of Sydney. Then it was reported over the Parramatta River, evidently with the intention of coming up the river to pick up the ’drome. Again listeners were switched back to the studio where it was stated that the airmen were being reported by ’phone all along the road, ’phone messages coming in every second. A message then came from the plane saying they had only a few minutes’ petrol left and that they expected to land at 2.15 Sydney time (3.45 N.Z. time). Then came a message that the aerial of the plane was being wound in. The studio reported that the plane was in sight of the ’drome to which they were switching back. The ’drome announcer reported hearing the sound of the engines. Then they were right overhead circling the ’drome. Almost immediately they made a perfect landing right away from the crowd. The people swarmed round the flyers. The announcer said he hoped to get the airmen to speak briefy. The flyers were being photographed by Press photographers. Gradually the airmen came towards the “mike” and eventually “Smithy” said: “How do you do everybody? We’re glad to be here. We had only three gallons of petrol when we landed.” The announcer then said that policemen had rescued the mike from the crowd. Mrs Smith also said a few words over the wireless and Kingsford Smith again spoke briefly. There was no sign of Ulm. Litchfield of McWilliam.