AUSTRALIAN AIR RACE

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1929, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN AIR RACE

SECOND MACHINE WITHDRAWS. By Teleffraijifli—Press Assn.—Ocpyrig-ht. Sydney, Oct. 3. A Coduna message states that 16 Iplanes in the air race arrived, but Loggatt, in a Curtiss Meteor, has withdrawn owing to engine trouble. The pilot, Penny, met with a mishap on the first stage to Kimba, coming down in the desert. He managed, however, to reach Kimba. The following are the fastest actual flying, times from Sydney to Coduna (1250 miles): Miller, DH9, 12hrs. 33 min.; De Haviland, Moth, 12hrs. 44. min.; Heath, DHSO, 13hrs. 7min., Pratt, Moth, 13hrs.,.50min. The air. race now in progress fromSydney to Perth was planned in connection with the Perth centenary celebrations. It: will be one of the longest races of its kind in the world (2400 miles). The number of machines taking part (17) in also a record for any aerial event in Australia. The safety precautions have been arranged with the greatest attention to detail. Every competitor carries in his machine three ground strips —white lengths of material with which to signal by laying on the ground in the event of a forced landing. Each, also, is provided with a copy of a code by the use of which he may talk with airmen flying above him. Throughout the whole distance three Australian Air Force Wapiti aeroplanes are following the race. They are equipped with wireless, and they are to repbrt to all wireless stations' if and when a machine drops out of the race. In this direction the Air Force Wireless Reserve is co-oper-ating with the committee in control of the race. Members of the reserve will keep a look-out for the aeroplanes at all wireless stations along the route. The rules' laid down for the race make turns at certain points compulsory. One turn, for instance, meant that the competitors must miss the mountain country close to Sydney. Another means that the aeroplanes will not pass,.. oVer more than eight miles of sea in the Australian Bight, between Adelaide and Perth. Even then that stretch of sea will be patrolled by two boats. On the stage between Adelaide and Cook the machines must carry full rations because the desert nature of the country makes it unlikely that they will be rescued for two or three days were they forced down. Once the competitors reach the transcontinental railway they will not have any need for'worry. Forty line maintenance gangs, with fast motor-trol-leys, first-aid experts, and water, and with telephone facilities to the nearest station, will patrol the line. An Air Force doctor accompanies the machines in one of the Wapitis. The organisation of this vast race presented many problems. There is great rivlary for the honour of collecting the first prize of £lOOO. The race is a handicap, and the handicappers are following the aeroplanes and adjusting the handicaps each day before a new section is. entered upon. ; This is necessary because the wind,; ever changing, is an important factor in determining aerial handicaps.