Not A Stunt

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1010, 28 June 1930, Page 9

Not A Stunt

NEW YORK GREETS AVIATORS Smithy’ Aids Science TALK OF SALE OF SOUTHERN CROSS

THE safe landing at New York on Thursday of the monop ane Southern Cross with the Atlantic fliers was foliowed yesterday by a worthy reception to Squadron-Leader ngsiorcl Smith and his three companions at the City Hall. Smith says the flight was not a stunt, but one possessing a serious scientific aspect. He plans to take steamer to England, and in September he will sail for Australia for his marriage.

United P.A.—By Telegraph— Copyright Reed. 11.5 a.m. NEW YORK, Friday. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and his three companions, who landed safely here in the monoplane Southern Cross yesterday after crossing the Atlantic, were clearly very fit tins morning, when tney appeared in new clothes, including fresh blue serge suits. They were met by the Mayor’s reception committee at the Hotel Roosevelt shortly after noon and, preceded by a squadron of mounted police, were escorted down Broadway from 44th Street into the City Hall Square. The fliers were seated on the top of folded down automobile tops, and tLey waved to the thousands that lined the street on both sides. City Hall Square was jammed for hours before the arrival of the fliers and immediately upon their appearance a rain of torn paper descended upon them from the skyscrapers surrounding the City Hall Plaza. The eastern face of the Woolworth Building appeared as if through a snow-storm, although the temperature was nearly 100 degrees. Van Dyk, turning to the Mayor as the latter welcomed the fliers on the steps of City Hall, said: “I like this weather better than the North Atlantic weather.” After the reception the fliers were taken to a civic luncheon. NOT FOR VAINGLORY At the civic reception the Mayor, Mr. James J. Walker, handed a scroll of honour to Kingsford Smith: ‘‘Greetings and congratulations,” he said. "The people of New York City, speaking through me, their chief executive, take pride in honouring you for the gallant feat you have just accomplished. “You have added thus, sir, another brighter laurel to the wreath you have already won. Our people are well aware of the wonderful record you achieved as an ir soldier with the A.I.A.F. on Gallipoli and in France. ‘‘YVe were thrilled with your flight of the Pacific and we now hail you as the conquerors of the Atlantic. It is such deeds as yours, performed not for vainglory, but in the interest of science, that forge new links in the bonds of amity and concord. "Take, then, this scroll, as an earnest of our people’s very real and sincere welcome to you and your gallant ship.” The crew of the Southern Cross was hailed by New York City and Mayor Walker as the bravest of the brave. "Because the Atlantic had been spanned before, ft took no less courage on your part to attempt the flight,” the Mayor added. NOT A STUNT The Mayor’s address of welcome was broadcast over the nation, as well as Smith’s reply. The aviator prefixed his remarks with an apology that he was a flier and not an orator. He took occasion to develop a phrase from the Mayor’s address to the effect that this was not a “stunt flight.” The flier said: “I have no patience with stunt flying, and I am glad the Mayor stressed the fact that there are serious scientific aspects of such a venture as ours. “Most people believe that men who fly oceans do so merely to get a ride up Broadway. That is not so. Men who do that kind of work are pioneering aviation and aiding scientific knowledge.” Just as the Mayor finished his address a bench with 20 cameramen in front of -he speakers’ stand, collapsed, throwing the men and cameras in a squirming mass. Kingsford Smith, in alluding to this, said: "I am glad what happened did not occur to us while we were over the ocean. It was the most perfect example of a tailspin I have ever seen.” The crowd shouted its glee at the remark. The Mayor pinned medals on the four fliers. FLIERS’ MODESTY At a luncheon given by the Advertising Club each of the fliers was anxious to give awhy the credit for the flight's success. Smith said his part was really small. He gave credit to the others. Saul told how once his navigation had the plane 200 miles off the course. “That’s how much help I was,” he said. Van Dyk passed credit to the plane itself, and Stannage refused to speak, saying he was “too full of emotion to say anything.” TALK WITH OLD FOLK A message from Schenectady says arrangements have been made for a short-wave conversation early tomorrow morning between Kingsford Smith and his parents, and possibly his fiancee. The flier, with his companions and the Fokker oflicials, plan to fly here from the Roosevelt Field in time to begin the broadcast at 6.30 in the morning. Eastern summer time. It is reported that C. T. P. Ulm and Miss Powell, Smith’s fianefie, will attempt to reach 2ME for the broadcast from W2XAF. KINGSFORD SMITH'S PLANS WILL SAIL FOR AUSTRALIA Reed. 9.5 a.m. NEW YORK, Friday. The Australian Press Association asked Kingsford Smith for a statement concerning his plans in view of conflicting reports to the question whether he would undertake any major flights again. He said: "Oh yes. I am not i through with flying.” He said he was unable to indicate | what flights he would contemplate. "I wish I could tell you exactly what i my plans are, but with the exception

of the fact that X am going back to Australia in September for ray marrlage, my plans must be, and are liquid. “After the flight to the Pacific Coast, I will return East again and proceed to England, sailing for Australia from there. “More than that I cannot say at the present time.” Although Kingsford Smith is desirous of departing for the west tomorrow, it is .considered likely that his advisors here will ask him to remain over the week-end. They hope also to secure his approval for a tour of tie country. It is understood that after the California flight. Smith will dispose of the Southern Cross. A message from Oakland, California, says plans are under way to erect a monument there in commemoration of Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith’s exploits in the Southern Cross. NO REGULAR ROUTE FOG AND BLIND FLYING Reed. Noon. NEW YORK, Friday. In reply to the question whether there would be a real east to west transatlantic airplane route from Europe to America, Mr. Van Dyk, second pilot of the Southern Cross, replied: “No, never. That is impossible, with strong headwinds all the way, and fog, fog, fog. Perhaps there may be a southern route by the Azores, but by the north, no, no, no! Blind flying is no fun.” Kingsford Smitheonfirms this veiw and doubts if the North Atlantic will ever be practicable for commercial aviation. The dangers are inconceivable, he said. A study of the weather records show that almost every day there are bad spots and on west-bound flights there would always be dead ends to overcome. Colonel Fitzmaurice, who crossed from east to west in the German airplane Bremen, said: “We had the same experience of blind flying around Labrador. It is the result of a local condition prevalent there, as well as at Newfoundland, and is due to the fact that the isogonic lines all converge toward Newfoundland, with the result that you get big changes of magnetic variations in short distances making it impossible to effect proper corrections for the difference between the true north and the magnetic north.” Mr. Saul stated lie had carried photographs of his fiancee. Miss Zena Marchant, of Dublin. He did not have much time to think, as he was too busy. He did not get sleepy, and bad plenty to eat. On account of the possibility of a petrol shortage on the way to Newfoundland, the Vacuum Oil Company made supplies of petrol and oil available and the Southern Cross was able to continue its flight to New York on these products.