FLYING TO AUSTRALIA

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1929, Page 13

FLYING TO AUSTRALIA

NEW ZEALANDER’S ATTEMPT

ASSAULT ON HINKLER’S RECORD.

SURPRISE FLIGHT FROM CROYDON.

By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. London, Dec. 21.

Captain R. C. Chichester, a New Zea' lander and a former Air Force member, flying a Moth, left Croydon secretly, intending to fly to Australia in an attempt to beat Hinkler’s record.

He kept his intention secret beyond informing the New Zealand air representative, Major Wilkes, but he had not hinted at such a quick departure. ' He unexpectedly arrived at Croydon at midnight and only a handful of aerodrome officials saw the take-off of the Moth in brilliant moonlight at 3 a.m. The conditions were perfect. He shouted, “Cheerio, off to Australia.”

Chichester arrived at Lyons at 10.22, refuelled and left at 12.10 for Tunis. His next stop was at Catania (Sicily). He left there at 12.55 for Homs, near Tripoli. “I will break one of three things—the record, the machine or myself,” he said. If I break Hinkler’s record I hope to fly on to Wellington. Australia has done splendidly in the air. I want to do something for New Zealand." Chichester’s father was most surprised at the flight and his aunt, Mrs. Paget, with whom he was staying, did not know he was leaving. Chichester filled the passenger’s seat with extra petrol tanks, increasing the range of the plane by more than 1000 miles. Chichester stood by while the plane’s tanks were being filled. He did not mention that he intended to make a long flight. An official of the London Aero Club declared: 'Chichester impressed me as a quiet, daring fellow. He did not talk about himself.

The machine is not equipped with wireless. He has made no plans to communicate his progress. He does not know himcelf where he is stopping. He intends pushing, on as far as possible each day. De Havillands described him as a pilot, who has a good air mind.

Chichester is a married man. His wife and child are at present living in New Zealand. He is a son of the rector of Shirwell and comes from Wellington, New Zealand.