AIR RACE FOR ALL NATIONS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19941, 27 October 1934, Page 13

AIR RACE FOR ALL NATIONS

PROPOSED BY FRENCH CABINET

SEVERAL CLASSIC RACES MOOTED

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

PARIS, October 25. The Minister for Air announces that France will shortly organise a big International air competition.

French Attitude Explained,

“Le Soir” emphasises that the proposed French Air Race is due to the disappointment that French ’planes and pilots did not compete in the Australian race. The paper expresses the opinion that the race will probably be held from Paris to Saigon and back at the end of 1935.

The international air race is likely to start in August, 1935. “Le Petit Parisien” says that the race will probably be to Hanoi, via Baghdad. Karachi, Calcutta, Bangkok and Saigon. »

SERIES OF AIK RACES

INSPIRED BY CENTENARY CONTEST United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 26. 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, October 26. Sir Macpherson Robertson has evidently inaugurated a series of air races, which have spread throughout the world. “The Sun-Herald” service learns that Mr Rex Martin, assistant director of the United States Bureau of Air Commerce, is at present visiting Britain, and will, on his return, recommend America to hold an international air race in 1935, starting at New York, thence along the Atlantic coast to Patagonia, returning to the Pacific coast and thence via Canada, finishing at New York.

CHALLENGE BY COLONEL FITZMAURICE

EARLY ATTACK ON SCOTT’S RECORD

United Press Association—Sy Electric Telegraph - Copyright (Received October 26, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 25. Colonel Fitzmaurice and Mr E. W. Bonar are leaving Lympne for Australia at 3 a.m. to-morrow in the Irish Hospital Trust’s Bellanca 'plane. They are conforming to the conditions of the Centenary Air Race in order to prove the Irish Swoop’s capabilities. They hope to beat C. W. A. Scott’s record. Passed Load Test. Colonel Fitzmaurice’s machine passed the full load test at Portsmouth with 83501 b. and he was granted a certificate of airworthiness. The landing was satisfactory, despite the wet ground. Start Postponed. Colonel Fitzmaurice, after a repetition of trouble with the oil feed of the machine, is having an additional pipe fitted, and is postponing the start of his flight to Australia probably for 24 hours. Statement of Sponsors. The Irish Hospitals Trust has issued a statement that Colonel Fitzmaurice explained to the Air Race Committee only two hours before his departure to England, that he had not had time for a full load test, which he informed the American Government would be completed in England. He offered to perform the test at Mildenhall, but the committee, also Air Ministry officials, regarded this as unnecessary. Nevertheless, while an official was informing Colonel Fitzmaurice that everything

was in order, except a pilot’s license, lifebelts and Verey lights, the committee was cabling Washington regarding airworthiness, and did not tell Colonel Fitzmaurice. The committee offered to let Colonel Fitzmaurice fly at the gross weight of 83501 b, subject to disqualification if he won, in the event of the American certificate being unsatisfactory. Colonel Fitzmaurice accepted this condition, whereupon the committee withdrew the offer, and informed Colonel Fitzmaurice he could only fly at 54581 b. The committee also refused Colonel Fitzmaurice’s offer to fly as a sporting event. The Hospitals Trust adds that the American cable substantiated Colonel Fitzmaurice’s statements. Thus every effort made by Colonel Fitzmaurice and his sponsors to keep the matter a sporting event was turned down, by the committee and stewards. DOUBLE JOURNEY FLIGHT PLANNED BY SECOND COMET British Official Wireless (Received October 26, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, October 25. • According to a report from Melbourne, O. Cathcart-Jones and Ken Waller, who completed the 11,350-mile journey from England in under five days, may attempt a speed flight back to England in their De Havilland Comet in order to establish a fresh record for the double journey. Stimulated by their experiences in the air race. Mr Waller said he was thinking of flying to England. He would make the race a sporting prizeless contest, if anyone desired. Arrangements have been made at

Charleville for the rapid refuelling tomorrow of Cathcart Jones’s ’plane, which is reported to be returning to London forthwith.