NEW PLYMOUTH LANDING

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1935, Page 4

NEW PLYMOUTH LANDING

THE ARRIVAL OF “PILOT X” DUE IN MIDDLE OF AFTERNOON NO NEWS FROM THE AEROPLANE. ALMOST IDEAL CONDITIONS. New Plymouth aerodrome will be the landing ground for Mr. W. M. O’Hara’s Klemm Eagle aeroplane at about 3.30 pan. to-day if the flight proceeds according to schedule. It was previously understood that Auckland was to be the objective, but the reason for the change of plans, if change there has been, has not been disclosed. From the beginning Mr. O’Hara, previously known as “Pilot X,” has endeavoured to cloak his identity and the plans for the flight in mystery, and the Sydney Sun disclosed his identity only when inquiries by the Australian civil aviation authorities made the disclosure necessary. The reason for the secrecy, as is explained in a cable from Sydney, was that he desired to avoid causing anxiety to his mother, who lives in New Zealand. The aerodrome at New Plymouth is ready for the reception of the machine, and it is probable there will be a large attendance at the expected hour of arrival.

Since no radio transmitter is carried by the Zealandia there will be no news from the aeroplane between the time of its departure from Richmond and its arrival in New Zealand. Conditions for the flight, according to the official weather forecast in New Zealand, should be almost ideal, with fine weather and, at least near New Zealand, a generally following wind. The Klemm aeroplane, originally produced by Leichtflugzeubrau Klemm, Wurtemberg, is built under, license by the British Klemm Aeroplane Co., Ltd., Feltham, Middlesex. The Eagle, is Hie three-seater version, the two-seater being the Swallow. With one 130 h.p. Gipsy. Major engine it has a maximum speed of 148 miles an hour and a cruising speed of 130 miles an hour. With the Gipsy Six of 185 to 200 h.p. its maximum speed is 170 miles an hour and its cruising speed 148 miles an hour. The Eagle is a cabin plane, the pilot sitting forward with the two passengers on one seat at the back of the cabin. The machine is the low-wing type of monoplane and has a retractable undercarriage.