LONG DISTANCE FLYING.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17943, 30 April 1928, Page 9

LONG DISTANCE FLYING.

Progress of Bremen’s Crew.

LAND AT CURTIS FIELD.

(United Press Association —By Electrie Telegraph—Copyright.)

NEW YORK, April 27,

The Ford plane, carrying the Bremen’s crew to Washington from Murray Bay, landed at Curtis Field. Only about 100 persons were present, but these broke the rope lines, and rushed to the plane, compelling Air Balchen to shut off the motors to avoid injuring them. Moreover, as soon as the news of the flyers’ arrival spread, the crowd grew rapidly. The situation was made difficult because the New York officials did not expect the plane to stop here, and had provided no additional police protection. They were tired and hungry upon arrival. Miss Hleirta Junkers, who flew here with them, announced that they would continue the trip to Washington by train, because the bad weather made a continuance by air impossible. This means that they' cannot reach the capital until four hours after the scheduled time for Bennett’s funeral.

POLAR FLIGHT. SPECIAL MEDAL AWARDED. (United Press Association —By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, April 27. His Majesty has approved the award to Captain Wilkins of the Patrons’ royal gold medal of the Geographical Society, for many years’ systematic Polar work culminating in the recent flight. BREMEN FLYERS IN WASHINGTON. TRIBUTE TO DEAD AVIATOR. • (United Press Association —By Electrie Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received April 29, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 28. The crew of the “Bremen,” and Fraulein Junker, have arrived. They were greeted informally by the German Embassy, United States, officials, and others. The flyers are all much fatigued, and in need of clothes and a shave. They stated -that in respect of Floyd Bennett, they would give no interviews. They were hurried to Boilingfield to sleep. They go to Bennett’s g-yrive early to-morrow. A small crowd gave a rousing welcome to the flyers, who will return to New York to-morrow, and will probably come to Washington on Wednesday for an official greeting. Later Major Fitzmaurice, Captain Koehl, and Baron Von. Huenefeld visited Arlington Cemetery, in a cold, driving rain, and laid a wreath and three flags—Free State, Germany, and United States—on Floyd Bennett’s grave. ,

Herta Junker also placed a wreath on the grave, after which arrangements were made to proceed to New York by train. Captain Balehen attempted to fly the Ford ’plane from New York to bring them hack, hut was forced down by bad weather.

The “Bremen” flyers announce that they intend to re-visit Canada at the close of the American reception.

ITALIAN ACE CRASHES. IRREPARABLE LOSS TO AVIATION. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received April 29, 5.5 p.m.) ‘ LONDON, April 28. Advices from Rome state, in an attempt to make a parachute descent from his own aeroplane. General Guidoni jumped, crashed to the ground, and was killed instantly. The parachute was strapped to his back, and did not open. It was stated later that the cords strangled him before he could open the parachute. The death of General Guidoni is described as an irreparable loss to Italian aviation.

General Guidoni, in war time, was an acq supreme. Since 1911, both as inventor and builder of aeroplanes, his sway was unchallenged. Almost all the new types of ’planes built in Italy have beer, the outcome of his fertile brain and mechanical skill. He attendeu Aeronautical Conferences in England, France and the United States.