TASMAN FLIERS’ RETURN

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1928, Page 11

TASMAN FLIERS’ RETURN

STUNTS BY KINGSFORD SMITH WELCOME BY OVER 8000 PEOPLE. THE AIRMEN REACH WANGANUI. Scarcely 1 hour 40 minutes after leaving Auckland yesterday the three Bristol planes conveying the trans-Tasman airmen and party made an excellent landing at the Hawera racecourse and were welcomed by over 8090 people. The planes left Auckland at about 12.35 p.m., landing at Hawera at 2.19 p.m. after a splendid trip, a good following wind assisting them. After refuelling, tho party continued the flight to Wanganui, where they remained for the night. Un arriving over the Hawera. racecourse Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and Lieutenant Ulm delighted the crowd by turning a “flip” before making a low landing to bo followed at intervals of seconds by the othertwo planes. The airmen were met by Mr. J. Gray, president of the Egmont Racing Club, and while their machines were being re-fuelled they adjourned to the home of Mr. ; I Mrs. A. Morse, Mrs. Morse being hostess for the Egmont Racing Club. During afternoon tea the airmen chatted informally, mostly about their recent Rotorua trip, which they all thoroughly enjoyed. At Auckland they had been farewelled by a large crowd, and Kingsford Smith referred humorously to the effect caused on the crowd by his “stunt” flying. When on one occasion he had looped the loop and descended close above their heads the crowd had scattered in haste, tumbling over one another. During the afternoon tea Mr. Gray expressed the club’s pleasure at the airmen’s landurg in Hawera, and wished them bon voyage on their return to Australia and “cheerio.”

The Mayor of Hawera, Mr. E. A. Pacey, on behalf of the district, wished .them a safe trip to Wanganui and beyond. Kingsford Smith and Ulm referred to Rotorua as wonderful, Lieutenant Ulm adding: “I don’t think it’s true. We have all decided to be good for the rest of our lives.” He said he could spend a week or so enjoying the wonders of the district.

Mention was made of the attitude of Wanganui clergymen towards the airmen’s Sunday landing. Kingsford Smith remarked that “we must have a dig at these people.” Afternoon tea over the airmen lined up in front of Mr. Morse’s residence and several photographs were taken. They then returned to their planes round which was a dense throng of people, and as they approached they were faced by batteries of cameras, while some of the bolder spirits invited the airmen to sign their autograph books, but to no avail.

Kingsford Smith and Ulm were the first to take off, leaving the course at 3.30, and for about five minutes, while the other- planes were warming up, they delighted the crowd with “stunts” and trick flying, demonstrating superb control over the machine. First Kingsford Smith looped, then he flew over the course at air appalling angle. Next, travelling at great speed, he swooped down over the heads of the crowd, flattening out and then shooting skywards. The machine dived this way and that, speeding round above the track, descending, climbing, turning and on one occasion seeming to “stand on the wing tip. At 3.36 the second plane hopped off followed by the third, and as they rose the crowd cheered enthusiastically. The three machines turned their . noses south, and steadied down to their flight to Wanganui. Spjeaking to a News representative, Mr. Litchfield said they had first struck the railway line at Waipuku and followed the rails, flying low over Stratfmd and Eltham. After leaving Hawera they followed the railway, flying low over Patea. DEPARTURE FROM AUCKLAND. STUNTING AMAZES THE CROWD. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The Southern Cross airmen, who arc touring the Dominion in three Bristol fighters, left Auckland at 12.30 p.m. today for Hawera and Wanganui. A crowd estimated at 15,000 farewelled them. The first machine to take the air was Mr. Douglas Mills’ moth, and presently Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and Lieutenant Ulm followed. _ Then the crowd was amazed and thrilled when hte Tasman fliers looped the loop several times. The other two planes were soon in the air and in a few minutes all four set out for the south, the Moth accompanying the Tasman fliers for a short distance. 'l’ho weather was fine and clear and a staff following wind prevailed. Kingsford Smith carried a miniature leather kiwi as a mascot, a gift of Auckland friends.

RAPID FLIGHT TO WANGANUI. ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME GIVEN. Wanganui, Last Night. A crowd estimated to number 15,000 greeted tho filers on arrival hero today from Auckland after a quick flight in good conditions. The machines made a perfect landing amid scenes of enthusiasm from the gathering. A welcome was extended by the Mayor and other speakers, who congratulated the airmen on their great feat in crossing the Tasman and commended the work in the interests ol commercial aviation. The airmen were then motored into the city and proceeded to their hotel, having expressed a desire to have the night free. No public programme was carried out. The airmen leave at 9 a.m. on Monday for Blenheim, proceeding in the afternoon to Christchurch.