FLYING BOAT DEPARTS

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1930, Page 6

FLYING BOAT DEPARTS

CUTTY SARK’S RETURN TRIP GOOD TAKE-OFF FROM MOTUROA. JOURNEY TO AUCKLAND 2 HOURS. After being in port at New Plymouth since Thursday the flying 'boat “'Cutty Sark,” piloted by Squadron-Leader L. M. Isitt, who was accompanied by Corporal Smith, left on its return to Auckland at 11.15 yesterday morning. It arrived at Hobsonville at 1.30 p.m. The water was still choppy on Saturday and a message to Squadron-Leader Isitt from the seaplane base at Hobsonville advised postponing the return until conditions were milder. The distinct improvement, in the weather yesterday made conditions for the return satisfactory. The flying-boat was released from its moorings between the Newton King and Moturoa wharves and towed out off shore by a rowing boat. A large crowd on the wharves watched the departure.

The pilot wanned the engines and the machine started from, well out, edgr j in towards the beach. iStill on the water it swung round towards Kawa* roa Park, went past the Blenheim bore and then turned back in the direction of Die wharf/ Some distance away the plane speeded up and rose opposite the palladium, flying high past the end of tho wharf.

The plane circled low and came back above the beach over the cottages and made towards Fitzroy, where it was joined by tlie Federated Aero -Clubs’ new plane piloted by Flying-Oflicer lan Keith, who had flown from Hawera round the mountain. i

The flying -boat turned again towards the port with the other plane following behind. The machine rose high, circling over the port and tho beach and then made off for Auckland, the Federated Clubs’ plane escorting it a short way. Flying-Officer Keith returned to Hawera round the mountain again without stopping at the Bell Block aerodrome. Ho had ■ left Hawera at 10.45 and re-alight-ed an hour and five minutes later.

The flying conditions on the coast were good but Flying-Officer Keith reports very bumpy conditions near the mountain. -' Mr. Keith had with him as passenger Mr. Brian Haybittie, Hawera. lii the early afternoon another plane was aloft over New Plymouth. This was the 'Wellington Aero Club’s plane which was bcink transferred from Auckland to Wellington. The plane, piloted by Mr. Diithie, instructor to the Wellington club, stopped at Bell Block to re-fuel. Mr. S. Birch, Wellington, was a passenger. While at New Plymouth Mr, Dutliie made a passenger flight.