SIXTH PLACE IN AIR RACE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19944, 31 October 1934, Page 7

SIXTH PLACE IN AIR RACE

AIR SPEED COURIER IN MELBOURNE MISHAP TO HEWETT’S MACHINE United Press Association—B.v Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 30, 8.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, October 30. Sixth place in the air race was gained by Squadron-Leader D. E. Stodart and K. G. Stodart (Britain), flying Sir A. Cobham’s Airspeed Courier, who arrived at 11 a.m., direct from Charleville. They have good prospects in the handicap race, because, despite much ill-luck, they did not spend any waiting time at places other than the checking points, unlike SquadronLeader M. C. McGregor. Ken Stodart has evidently been shopping somewhere in Malaya, for his first act was to produce a snake skin bag, a gift for his niece, who was among those who welcomed him. The pilots were cheerful, and unlike the others they appeared to have brought changes of clothing. They are the first Australians to finish in the race. Aviators Welcomed. There were scenes of extraordinary enthusiasm when the competitors attended a gala performance at His Majesty’s Theatre, as guests of J. C. Williamsons. The audience made a demonstration which showed the visiting aviators the public appreciation of their achievements. Flight Across Australia. Squadron-Leader D. E. Stodart and his nephew K. G. Stodart remained overnight at Charleville. They were glad of a respite. They crossed the Timor Sea at night, which was the most worrying part of the trip. Half-way over they sighted the beams of the searchlight of the naval ship Moresby, which was a most wonderful comforting feature. Questioned regarding the mishap to Squadron-Leader Hewett’s ’plane, Stodart said that apparently they tried to take off before dawn, and had the misfortune to strike a fence. The ’plane was badly damaged, and it would take some time to repair it, probably putting them out of the race. The Stodarts left Charleville at 5.45, local time, this morning. Danes at Darwin Lieutenant M. Hansen, of the Danish Air Force, and his companion, Mr Jensen, Danish Air Force mechanic were eighth fliers in the air race to reach Australia. Their time from London was approximately 9 days 2 hours 15 minutes. They had not been without their troubles during the race. They had to make a landing at Victoria Point, when the petrol ran out, and at Alor Star their ’plane became bogged in the mud when a tropical thunderstorm sent down over two inches of train in 15 minutes. The ’plane is not fitted with dual control, so that Hansen has been practically on a solo flight, with Jensen as mechanic and navigator. Lieutenant Hansen reached Cloncurry to-night at 7.30. He leaves for Charleville at dawn.

Hewett’s ’Plane Damaged. Squadron-Leader J. D. Hewett and Flying-Officer Kay had taxied to the end of the aerodrome in Cloncurry, and were turning to enter the runway for the take-off when the port wing of the ’plane struck the fence. The time taken in repairs will be counted as flying time, as the fliers had checked out when the smash occurred. They are now believed to have no chance in the handicap race. Melrose’s Progress. C. J. Melrose arrived at Charleville at 2.30 p.m. and he leaves at midnight, hoping to reach Melbourne in time to participate in the parade of Centenary aviators on Wednesday afternoon. He covered 1050 miles to-day in 121 hours. UNSUCCESSFUL FLlEfcs PERSIAN REPLY TO PROTESTS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright LONDON. October 29. Bennett has returned to London, rejoining the Royal Air Force. He left James Woods at Aleppo. He has not decided how to arrange for the repairs of the machine, which is so damaged that reconstruction at Aleppo is impossible. Regarding the arrest of J. H. Wright and John Polando, the Persian Legation states that the fliers landed unexpectedly and unknown to the authorities. They were released after a brief inquiry. Wright and Polando have abandoned the race at Calcutta, due to a cracked cylinder. They are sailing for America and are shipping their machine.