THE FLIGHT POSTPONED

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1928, Page 8

THE FLIGHT POSTPONED

DECISION LATE LAST NIGHT I , * THE WEATHER UNFAVOURABLE. START INSIDE 48 HOURS UNLIKELY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Blenheim, Last Night. A weather report from Dr. Kidson and from the Australian coast at 11 o’clock tonight indicated that it was inadvisable for the Southern Cross to leave. In view of this Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and Lieut. Ulm decided to postpone the flight. The reports indicate that it will probably be 48 hours before another opportunity presents itself. There are reports of thunderstorms over Sydney. The Australian report stated that if the trip were undertaken it would be unwise to trail the long aerial over the latter part of the journey, on account of the risk of lightning. It had previously been decided to start at 2.30 p.m. to-day and at dawn to-mor-row, provisionally on the reports being favourable. The necessity for a perfect runway for the Southern Cross was emphasised by some figures given to a reporter this morning by Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith. These showed that when the plane took off in the morning it would lift a total weight of 12,846 lbs. This was not its record, for the Southern Cross lifted 15,800 lbs when she attempted to lower the endurance record at San Francisco early this year, but it was a very big lift for a machine of its wing surface. The Southern Cross itself weighed 6000 lbs, and 750 gallons of petrol weighed 5700 lbs. The 24 gallons of lubricating oil weighed 216 lbs, the crew 640 lbs, rations 40 lbs, smoke bombs, etc., 150 lbs, and mail matter 100 lbs more or less, giving a total weight of 12,846 lbs. This morning, after a careful survey of the weather conditions, Dr. Kidson advised the fliers to fly from Blenheim direct to a point in the Tasman 36 degrees south, 165 degrees east, which was a spot in mid-Tasman approximately in the same latitude as Auckland. From that point the fliers would steer direct for Sydney. They would meet no ships en route. According to Dr. JCidson they would encounter fresh south-westerlies for the first 300 miles, averaging about 20 miles per hour. He recommended that if the winds were found to be stronger the Southern Cross should put back. Kingsford Smith this afternoon flew to Wellington and back in 1 hour 40 minutes in a Bristol fighter, returning with Major T. W. Wilkes, Director of Aviation in New Zealand. Captain Findlay in a H. 50 arrived from Sockburn with Messrs. L. Scholfield and Burns, Christchurch, as passengers. KEEN INTEREST IN SYDNEY. EVERYTHING IN READINESS. By Telegraph— Press Ass®.—Copyright. Sydney, Oct. 11. Everything is in readiness here for the safe landing of th© Tasman fliers. The Defence Department is keeping in close touch with the airmen. The public is greatly interested in the newspaper accounts of the fliers’ doings and the valuable help from Dr. Kidson’s department.