AVIATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 1682, 2 June 1919, Page 7

AVIATION.

LONDON TO EGYPT.

'A DISASTER ON THE WAY.

By Electric Telegraph—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.

ROME, May 18. Ten British aeroplanes have arrived en route for Egypt. Nine landed safely, but the tenth crashed, pinning five occupants underneath.

LONDON, May 18. The correct story of the Rome disaster is that two Handley-Pa go machines flew from Marseilles. Tho first landed succesfully at the Centocelle aerodrome, and the second^in endeavouring to avoid tho first, struck a big tree and crashed into a deep trench. Lieutenants Prince and Spratt were killed, Colonel Laurence broke his arm, and the mechanic was slightly wounded. N.C.4 descended on the Mondego river owing to adverse winds. She is undamaged and is expected to resume to-morrow.

ATLANTIC FLIGHT. THE AMERICAN PREPARATIONS. NEW YORK, May, 17. The "New York World's" Washington correspondent states that the Navy Department has revealed the contents of the sealed orders, showing that the seaplanes' flight had been planned with the minutest details many months ago. Tho orders outline the speed, equipment, route and crew of the planes, the manner in which the flight course is to be patrolled by vessels carrying wireless, tho placo of landing at the Azores, etc. The orders stato that after arrival at tho Azores, tho planes were to refuel quickly and remnin not more than a night, and then start for Lisbon, 900 miles. Thence, after a night's stay they were to fly to Plymouth, England, 773 miles.

, LISBON TO PLYMOUTH. NEW YORK, May 30. The United States seaplane N.C.4 lias left Lisbon for Plymouth. FORCED TO DESCEND. LONDON, May 30. A .wireless message received states that N.C.4 was compelled to descend at Mondego, 100 miles north of Lisbon. N.C. 4 COMPLETES FLIGHT. Received 5.5 p.m., .Tune Ist LONDO.V. May 31. N.C. 4 has arrived at Plymouth. II: flew the Channel at an altitude* of 200 feet. General Soely welcomed the crew.

Received 11.5 p.m., .Tune Ist. LONDON*, May 31. N.C. 4 niado a slow journey from Ferrol to Plymouth, not exceeding 70 knots an liour.

The crew of N.C. 4 we'"e given a naval, militarv and civic welcome at Plymouth. Tho King telegraphed his congratulations. ACCOUNT OF FIRST STAG 10. NEW YORK, Mav 19. Commander Read, describing the journey 'of N.C. 4to the Azores, says he started tho flight at an altitude of 800 feet and then roso to 1800 feet. Ho sighted each destroyer owing to their brilliant illumination. After passing the sixteenth destroyer tho airplane entered a fog and ho was compelled to rise to 3000 feet. The* fog prevented continuing tho flight direct to Ponta Delgado. Tho seaplane needed only slight repairs. COST OF THE EFFORT. Trepassey estimates that the transAtlantic flight will cost tho United States a million dollars, of which. 50,00,) are chargeable to research, 200,000 to ail-planes and equipment and tha balance to the operations of the destroyers. HAWKER'S START. Received 5.5 p.m.. June Ist. NEW YORK. May 30. Before leaving Hawker said he had absolute confidence in his engine -and his navigator, Grieve. He asked Grieve if lie could not dispense with his pyjamas, in order to lighten tho plane. When asked if lie would be able to sleep during the voyage, Hawker replied: "Wa will have a long sleep at the end " Hawker estimated that ho would have five liours sunlight and then starlight and moonlight. He anticipated that tho trip would occupy nineteen hours. He "believed that he would bo able to maintain a speed of 106 miles an hour after dropping the under carriage.

Hawker's machine weighed 62001bs and was heavily laden. It was at first believed that it would not be able to risee. but after racing over the Mount Pearl field for a distance of three hundred yards she soared gracefully skyward. Tho few spectators who witnessed the flight cheered heartily, and watched the machine circle about and manoeuvre into the wind, set its faoo oyer the city, and tlienoe over Qui Divide, where Hawker signalled farewell to Raynham and headed seaward. Tho marine signalman at Cabot Tower, which surmounts a hill at tho north entrance to St. John Harbour, signalled within ten minutes that tho Sopwith was out of sight.

When Raynham saw that Hawker had started ho toolc tlio matter philosophically and said ho could give the Sopwith two or three hours lead, and still heat, because his Martinsyde could travel twenty mile,; an hour faster. RAYNIIAM'S MISHAP. A few minutes later than Hawker, Raynham and Morgan pushed their machine out of tho hangar m Qui Divide field, and started the engine, and about an hour after Hawker's departure Raynham was ready for the start. The machine rose a few feet and then fell, smashing tho wings and body, crumping the under carriage and jarring the engine and fusilsigc- Expert airmen present declare thn; >.ie machine is unfit for further flying unless taken to England and repaired. About ten thousand persons witnessed tho aecident. Morgan and Raynham were cut about the face but wore able to walk unassisted. MORE ABOUT HAWKER'S START. It is estimated that the, aeroplane Btarted at a speed of 100 ' miles an hour. Hawker and Grieve wore heavy woollen clothing, under inflatable i-u'.i----ber suits which it was believed would liesp them afloat for forty-eight hours if they fell into this sea. When Hawker studied tho wiatber early in the morning he said li<> thought he would beat the Yankacross. Hawker and Grieve carefully figured out their course on .Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Theyj

I carried a wireless apparatus with n radius of 250 miles. During the preparations Hawker showed no signs uf any nervousness, but appeared perfect,ly calm. Ho was informed of Kaynj liom's mishap by wireless. | Grieve said: "We shall fly straight for | Ireland, relying for our position on tho stars to-night." > Hawker 'oeforo starting said: "We : shall reach an altitude of 10.000 feefc quickly after wo start and hold that 1 altitude until wo reach tho other side, and then rise, to 15,000 feet ju ordor to get sv planing radius, of fifteen miles in tho event of tho motor going wrong. We have flown 9J hours in England, cover ins: just half tho distance across tho Atlantic. Flying over sea relievos the mind of any worry. Flying over land means constant worry in seeking land marks." I New York papers pay tribute to ITaw- | ker's great daring, hut emphasise thii ! dangers of his adventure, which is described as the most perilous :in nir fliglif. history. LONDON. May 30. Ropwith's will not ask Hawker mid Grieve to mako_ another attempt to cross the Atlantic. The Board of Trade awarded piece? of plate to tho Mary's cnr>tain, and medals and monev to tho boats' crews for rescuing JTawker and Grieve. NEW YORK, May 31. A New York ' 'Times" message from Falmouth states that Captain .Ruko, of 7lie CharlottesviJle, who landed Ilawger's ac-ropWne, considers tho machin./ his property, lfc i s understood that Sopwitlis offered a largo sum for iUs suJvu^i'.

WELCOMED AT lIENDON.

LONDON, May 30. lJawker will his wil'o and Grievo Hew nt a gala at Hendon to welcome tlio aviators. Score sol' aeroplane!?, f iloti' l I).V the most prominent airmen did stunts, givin;.; a innrvo]lous display of fonts. Tlin heroes were cheered on binding. Hawker j/.nvo an exhibition iii")i"|il:ini> /light.

APKTKALIAN FLIGHT.

LONDON, May 30. A Leeds firm has entered an aeroplane for the Australasian flight, a ranch ino of 250 horse power, with a sp"CMI of 100 miles nu liour.