SUPREMACY IN THE AIR.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18452, 19 December 1929, Page 11

SUPREMACY IN THE AIR.

Britain’s Bid For Records. LONDON TO CAPETOWN FLIGHT. •United Pre«a Association —Bv Tr.lrp - rv->v* , «P’U* ' LONDON, December 17. The Royal Air Force Fairey-Napier monoplane, piloted by Squadron-Leader Jones-Williarns, took off at Crainwell at 8 o’clock, in an attempt at a record non-stop flight to Capetown. The conditions were perfect. Big Tack Undertaken. The present long distance flying record is held by a Frenchman, Captain Costes, with 4912 miles. Squadron-Leader Jones-Williams and Flight-Lieutenant Jenkins made an attack at the long distance record last April. They left Cromwell in the same monoplane as they are now flying, but after covering 3130 miles they were forced down by petrol shortage at Karachi (India). The weather conditions over a large part of the route on this occasion are reported to be favourable, and the airmen expect, if all goes well, to arrive at Capetown on Thursday afternoon, after a flight of about 55 hours. The machine was reported 50 miles off the northwest coast of Sardinia at 4 o’clock this afternoon. The route after leaving Sardinia will be by way of Tunis, Ghat (in French Sahara), Duala (in Cameroons), Benguella (in Portuguest West Africa). The course selected enables the pilots to avoid mountainous country, particularly in the earlier stages. In order to beat the existing record, it is necessary, under the international regulations, to fly at least 100 kilometres of 625 miles more than the French figure, so that the British pilots must fly a minimum of 4975 miles, measured on a great circle course, to secure the record for Britain. This means that they must reach a point in Southwest Africa about 30 miles south of the Kuneno River, and about halfway between Benguella and Walfish Bay.

The aircraft is fitted for this flight with short wave wireless transmitting set, and will transmit routine reports giving its position every four hours. It is not equipped to receive messages during the flight. There is always a possibility of a forced landing, and to meet such an emergency the airmen are equipped with sporting guns and ammunition.

They have also with them curious scimitar shaped knives by means of which they will be able to cut their way through the jungle, if necessary.