LURE SF ATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18584, 3 June 1930, Page 9

LURE SF ATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Kingsford Smith’s Plans

BIG ADVENTURE IN “DEAR OLD BUS.”

(United Press Association—By BiaatrH Tel egraph—Ccpvr* ght.) LONDON. June 1.

Interviewed after his arrival at Croydon. Squadron-Leader C. E. KingsfordSmith said he was convinced that the dear old ’bus, the Southern Cross would not let him down. The monoplane was better than ever. There would be two Britishers, one Dutchman, and one Irishman aboard, all of whom were splendid fellows. The monoplane would take off from Ireland when the weather was suitable. He estimated that there would be 35 hours’ flying, and they would have three hours’ reserve.

Squadron - Leader Kingsford-Smith intends flying from America to Australia in time for his marriage in September. He added : “That will be my greatest and best venture.” Squadron-Leader C. E. KingsfordSmith, when interviewed in New York on his way to Holland, said that the chances for the flight were “better for than against.” He plans to hop off from Ireland for Roosevelt Field, New York, taking the northern route. If he succeeds he then plans to fly to San Francisco and then to Oakland, from where he will hop off on his second flight across the Pacific. In London “Smithy” was seen by reporters, and he told them that the Southern Cross resembled a new pin. The overhaul had added seven miles an hour to her speed. The second pilot will be Mr Van Dyk, a Dutchman. The wireless operator will be John Stannage. who accompanied the Canberra when she found the Southern Cross lost in the Kimberleys. A navigator will also be carried.

Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith’s marriage is to take place in Melbourne in September, when he will wed Miss Mary Powell. The Atlantic has been crossed only once from the east, in April, 1928, the flyers being Captain Kohl and the late Baron von Huhnefeld (both of Germany), and Commandant Fitzmaurice (of the Irish Free State). They left Ireland for New York and landed in the dark on a frozen lake in Labrador. The distance covered by these airmen was 2300 miles. Numerous other attempts have been made to make the east to west crossing,'but ail met with disaster.