SIDELIGHTS ON AIR RACE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19942, 29 October 1934, Page 9

SIDELIGHTS ON AIR RACE

GRATITUDE OF DUTCH NATION PROGRESS OF SLOWER FLIERS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 28, 6.30 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, October 27. In appreciation of the help given the Dutch pilots at Albury, a committee has been formed to collect subscriptions to provide a lasting souvenir to be given to the town.

FRENCH ATTITUDE TO RACE WHOLLY CONCERNED WITH DEFENCE OF COUNTRY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 28, 6.30 p.m.) PARIS, October 27. The French Minister of Air, M. Denain, does not lament France’s failure to participate in the Centenary air race. He adds that his task was to improve the collective air force, as Germany, Russia and Italy are doing. He realised, when given the race programme in March, that the French industry could not be ready for the test in six months, though he encouraged one constructor, but the credits available would not suffice, nor could the personnel be ready. France was aerially five years’ behind foreign nations in 1933, and would be level with the foremost in 1935,

FILMS OF RACE SHOWN IN ENGLAND COST OF PICTURES BY CABLE United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Conyrlßht (Received October 28, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 27. The first wireless films of the air race were shown in a hundred cinemas on Friday. The fliers were greeted with immense applause. One hundred and sixty pictures were cabled, and cost £39 a-piece.

INSPIRATION OF RACE AIR SERVICES BEING SPEEDED UP United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 28, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 27. “The Daily Mail” says: "The Imperial Airways has called tenders for faster and larger machines to replace the present fleet, which is three years old. It is hoped to fly some of the new machines in eighteen months.

LOSS OF DUTCH PLANE PANDERJAGER REDUCED TO CINDERS United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright ALLAHABAD, October 26. The Dutch Panderjager ’plane piloted by D. L. Asjes and G. L. Geysendorffer, which crashed in the Centenary Air race at Allahabad, when the retractable under-carriage failed to open properly, was taking off after repairs had been effected and was taxiing to the edge of the aerodrome at dusk, when it collided with a motorcar carrying a beacon light. The ’plane was immediately set on fire. Geysendorffer and Asjes leapt out uninjured, but the Panderjager was destroyed.

AMERICAN FLIERS IN PERSIA STRONG PROTESTS LODGED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright KARACHI, October 26. John Wright and John Polando (U.S.A.) claim that they were badly treated by the Persians. They were given only a sandwich, and nothing to drink. They are complaining to the American Consul, demanding that Persia should refund their expenses incurred in the race, as they were baulked of their chances of winning the handicap event.

Flight Abandoned. John Wright has abandoned the flight. He says that the air lock in the petrol feed caused him to make a forced landing at Mohammerah, and as the runway for the take off was too small, his co-pilot, John Folando, with his kit, started to walk to Abadan, seven miles’ away. The Persian police arrested both, declaring that they were only permitted to land at Bushire and Jask. If they were forced to make a landing elsewhere they must take the consequences. The airmen have complained, but an armed military sentry is posted over them.

PROGRESS OF FLIERS MORE ARRIVALS IN AUSTRALIA United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 29, 1.15 a.m.) MELBOURNE, October 28. Squadron-Leader D. E. Stodart and K. G. Stodart (Britain) in an Airspeed Courier, left Batavia for Ram-

bang at 1.53 a.m, local time, on Saturday, where they arrived at 8.14 a.m. and left at 9.18 a.m. The Stodarts arrived at Koepang at 2.5 p.m. and departed at 1.5 a.m. on Sunday. Squadron-Leader D. E Stodart and Sergeant K. G. Stodart arrived at Darwin at 7.50 a.m. on Sunday and departed at 10.20 a.m.

Squadron-Leader Stodart severely injured his right hand only a few minutes after arrival. He was swinging the propellor to taxi to the refuelling depot, when the engine kicked back on the compression and the blade struck his hand, inflicting a wound which bled profusely. Sergeant Stodart piloted the machine when it departed. Squadron-Leader Stodart, who was bom in Victoria, left Australia before the war and this is the first time he has re-visited the country. He said that, when crossing Timor Sea, they passed through the worst thunderstorm in his experience. They ascended to 1300 feet but could not rise above it. They were thrown about like a peanut shell in the wind. The rain was torrential.

The Stodarts arrived at Newcastle Waters, where they are spending the night. Lieutenants Hansen and Jensen (Denmark) arrived at Singapore at 7.5 p.m. Saturday. Owing to the boggy state of the ground at Alor Star, Lieut. Hansen’s plane rose only after the tenth attempt. At first it seemed impossible for the’ plane to get off the ground, but after the pilots had dispensed with all personal baggage, it got away successfully. They experienced magneto trouble.

Lieutenant M. Hansen and Jensen arrived at Batavia at 9.35 a.m. on Sunday and departed at 10.06 a.m. They had left Singapore at 3.23 a.m. They arrived at Rambang at 4.39 p.m. C. J. Melrose (Australia) in a Puss Moth left for Batavia at .5.32 a.m. on Saturday.

Melrose arrived at Rambang at 2.20 p.m. on Saturday and a message received from Darwin last night announced that the airman had arrived there. A new piston is being sent by air mail for the Mollisons. A message from Bushire announced that Flig'ht-Lieut. D. C. Shaw has retired from the race.

EAST SAD RITES BURIAL OF VICTIMS IN AIR RACE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright NAPLES, October 26. The Consul-General, Mr Fisher, representing the British Government, Colonel Hetherington, representing the Air Ministry and the Aero Club, and the entire British colony attended the funeral of Flying-Officer H. D. Gilman and Mr J. K. C. Baines, the New Zealand fliers, who were killed in a crash in Italy in the air race, et the Anglican Church, Naples. The church was decorated with Italian and British colours. Masses of flowers covered the coffins, which were carried by Italian Air Force officers, who formed a guard of honour during the service.

Miss Edith Wilson, Flying-Officer Gilman’s fiancee, placed her engagement ring on the coffin, and knelt beside it, grief-stricken. After the service the Fascist militia carried the coffins to the Anglican cemetery, where they were interred.