AIR RACE PREPARATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1934, Page 7

AIR RACE PREPARATIONS

BIG EVENT FOR CENTENARY INTEREST IS WIDESPREAD AUCKLAND PILOTS’ PLANE TO BE DELIVERED SHORTLY By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. London, Sept 6. Delivery of the D.H. Dragon plane for the New Zealanders, Squadron-Leader J. D. Hewett and Flying-Officer C. Kay, for the Melbourne centenary air race is due before the end of September. Meanwhile the two airmen have been familiarising themselves with the new designs and instruments. The New Zealanders will begin next week with full load tests with an older type of machine similar in design. KINGSFORD SMITH’S TROUBLE ARE OBSTACLES PUT IN WAY? CANNOT FILL PETROL TANK. Auckland, Sept. 7. Fresh troubles are being encountered by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith in his preparations for the Melbourne centenary air race, according to a cablegram received by his father-in-law,. Mr. A. Powell, on his arrival at Auckland by the Mariposa to-day. “Owing to the tightening of the regulations controlling the air race,” the cable said, “I will not be allowed to carry full petrol tanks, thereby necessitating intermediate landings and greatly minimising the chances of winning unless all the other competitors are similarly handicapped, which is improbable.” Mr. Powell, who helped to finance the purchase of the Lady Southern Cross speed plane, said Sir Charles’ intention had been merely to record his arrival at some of the intermediate landing stations and go on without wasting time in filling the tanks. Mr. Powell was at a loss to understand why all these obstacles were being put in the way. Sir Charles in the cablegram said that the certificate of the plane’s airworthiness would probably not be granted for two “weeks, but he expected it would be granted before his departure for England. The vice-president of the Aeronautical League states that if Sir Charles Kingsford Smith an 3 the Mollisons apply through the Embassy the Turkish Government is certain to give them permission to fly over Turkey during the centenary air race, says a Constantinople cable. NO INDIAN REPRESENTATIVE. ONLY ENTRANT WITHDRAWS. Calcutta, Sgpt. 6. India will not be represented in the air race, the only Indian entrant, Mr. V. L. Chaudi, having abandoned the idea of competing because his pilot, Mr. A. Murad, is unable to secure leave.