EVE OF CENTENARY AIR RACE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19933, 18 October 1934, Page 9

EVE OF CENTENARY AIR RACE

PILOTS ASSEMBLING AT STARTING POST WEATHER CONDITIONS UNFAVOURABLE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrlgdt LONDON, October 16. The Australian Press Association’s correspondent at Mildenhall says that with the hopes of two further arrivals to-morrow, the presence of 20 competitors here assures a splendid race. Since there have been so many lastminute disappointments, it is particularly gratifying to find among to-day’s arrivals such strong candidates as Nos. 5,6, 29 and 46. Gales Sweep Mildenhall. An Australian Press Association message from Mildenhall, states that a gale swept the aerodrome, which is becoming a scene of more intensive preparations. The gale is so severe that test flights have been postponed. Notable Pilots Arrive. The first American high-speed machine has arrived, Mr Roscoe Turner’s magnificent all-metal Boeing Transport. This ’plane was followed by Colonel Fitzmaurice’s “Irish Swoop.” Miss Cochran, wearing a parachute over a tweed lounge suit, arrived in the semi-darkness in a machine piloted by Mr Wesley Smith. The Aucklander, Mr F. Stewart, wireless operator, makes the third member of Messrs Hewett and Kay’s crew. Both Dutch entrants for the Centenary air race, the K. L. M. Douglas air-llner and the Dutch syndicate’s Panderjager, have arrived at Mildenhall. Apparently the Frenchmen are making every effort to compete, for after further delay, owing to gales, M. Molinier asked for a further extension, which will undoubtedly be granted. Engine trouble, which yesterday caused a forced landing, obliged the withdrawal of Lord Suffleld’s Airspeed Envoy, and consequently of the list cabled only Nos. 54 and 63 remain In doubt. Earlier to-day the Geysendorffer was flown from Amsterdam to Croydon in 70 minutes. Mr Parer, who practically stepped out of hospital into the plane, arrived at Mildenhall after an adventurous trip, reporting a 60 miles an hour gale. He has been In the Tropical Diseases Hospital, London, for two days, for innoculations against a recurrence of malaria. He is looking far from well, but is determined to start in the race, ROUTE BESET WITH PERILS BAD WEATHER IN TROPICAL AREA United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright SINGAPORE, October 17. Terrific tropical downpours occurred throughout the Malay Peninsula and over the Bay of Bengal, and the weather prospects for the Allahabad-Singapore-Darwin stages of the air race are most discouraging. If the storms do not abate, the competitors will have a perilous crossing of the Bay of Bengal with water-logged aerodromes to welcome them after the sea crossing of more than 1700 miles. Several aerodromes along the race route are under water.

Local pilots tell stories of rainstorms which have beaten them down to 50 feet of the sea, and done severe damage to the machines. Local flying is practically at a standstill. The Singapore aerodrome is in good condition, but if the rain continues the race pilots will be unable to take off in the heavy going, with enough fuel to make the 2000 miles to Darwin non-stop. This will necessitate refuelling at Java, where heavy rains are also reported. The Singapore committee authorities consider that the Bay of Bengal section is the most hazardous in the race, even in good weather, as for almost 2000 miles there is only water or jungle, and in the present weather conditions, the stage is beset with incalculable perils. PROBABLE STARTERS IN RACE STRONG CANDIDATES READY United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, October 16. The following is a detailed, revised list of probable starters in the England to Melbourne Centenary air race, preceded by racing numbers (which will be used for reference), then the crew, aircraft, engines and horsepower:— Handicap Only. No. 2, Squadron-Leader M. C. Macgregor and H. C. Walker (N.Z.), Miles Hawk, Gipsy Major, 120 h.p. No. 7, Lieutenant M. Hansen and Jensen (Denmark), De Soutter, Gipsy, 105 h.p. No. 15, Squadron-Leader D. E. Stodart and K. G. Stodart (Great Britain), Airspeed Courier, Siddeley-Cheetah, 270 h.p. No. 16, C. J. Melrose (Australia), Puss Moth, Gipsy-Major, 120 h.p. No. 31, H. L. Brook (Great Britain), passenger, Miss Lay, Miles Falcon, Gipsy-Major, 120 h.p. No. 33, John H. Wright (U.S.A.), Polando-Lambert monocoupe, WarnerScarab, 145 h.p. No. 47, Flight-Lieutenant Shaw (Gt.

Britain). British Klemm-Eagle, GipsyMajor, 120 h.p. Speed Race Only. No. s—Captain Roscoe Turner and C. Pangborn (U.S.A.), Nichol Boeing Transport, Pratt-Whitney Wasps, 550 h.p. No. 6—G. J. Geysendorffer and G. L. Asjes, Prone Pander mail-plane, Wright Whirlwinds, 400 h.p. No. 29—Colonel Fitzmaurice (Irish Free State), Bonar Special Bellanca, Pratt-Whitney Wasp Junior, 700 h.p. No. 46—Miss Jacqueline Cochran, Wesley Smith and R. Leonard (who is joining the ’plane at Allahabad) (U.S.A.), Granville, Pratt-Whitney-Hornet, 525 h.p. Both Races. No. 15—Flying-Officer C. G. Davies, Hill-Fairey 111, F. Napier-Lion, 530 h.p. No. 19—Cathcart Jones and Wall, D. Comet 11, special Gipsy sixes, 225 h.p. No. 34—C, W. A. Scott and T. Campbell Black (Great Britain) DH Comet 11, special Gipsy sixes, 225 h.p. No. 35—R. Parer end G. E. Hemsworth (New Guinea), Fairey-Fox, Fairey-Felix, 450 h.p. No. 36—James Woods and Bennett, Lockheed-Vega, Pratt-Whitney Wasp, 450 h.p. No. 44—K. D. Parmentier, J. J. Moll and Varibrugge Prins and three passengers, Gielesen, Dominique and Fraulein Rasche (Holland), Douglas, Wright- Cyclones, 715 h.p. No. 54—Captain C. Molinier, Captain L. Challe (France), Bleriot 111, GnomeRhone, 810 h.p. No. 58—Captain Neville Stack, S. L. Turner and McArthur (Great Britain), Airspeed-Viceroy 11, Siddeley-Chee-tahs, 290 h.p. No. 60— Captain J. D. Hewett, Fly-ing-Officer Kay and F. Stewart (New Zealand), D.H. Dragon, two Gipsy sixes, 205 h.p. No. 62—J. K. C. Baines and FlyingOfficer H. D. Gilman, Fairey-Fox, Fairey-Felix, 430 h.p. No. 53—James and Amy Moliison, Comet 11., special Gipsy sixes, 225 h.p.