ROUND THE WORLD FLIGHT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21086, 12 July 1938, Page 7

ROUND THE WORLD FLIGHT

AMERICAN’S BOLD VENTURE Difficulties in Early Stages United Press Association—Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright NEW YORK, July 10. Howard Hughes took off at 5.20 p.m. for Paris on a non-stop flight. , He is hoping to complete the trip in 22 hours He will probably continue from Paris in an attempt to fly round the world in four days, which would be three days faster than Wiley Post’s flight in 1933. Hughes is piloting a twin-motored Lockheed flying laboratory christened “The New York Fair, 1939," and it carries invitations to aero clubs throughout the world to participate in the fair. There is a crew of fou:l. The weather is favourable and the wind from the south-west promises a tail-wind on the great circle of the route. If Hughes proceeds from Paris, he expects to stop at Moscow and two Siberian refuelling points, Fairbanks (Alaska) and Edmonton (Alberta). Factors Involved Two factors may end the flight at Paris: The nature of the weather reports received there and the decision of one European country which has so far refused permission for the airman to cross over its territory. It is reported without confirmation that this is Germany. Hughes slept for the whole day in preparation for the flight while mechanics replaced pitted cylinders and faulty magnetos. It was previously hoped to take off earlier in the day because of the perfect weather round the world. The United Press learns that Hughes farwelled Miss Katherine Hepburn, the film star, who for a long time has been rumoured to be his sweetheart, at Snvbrock (Connecticut) where she is visiting. This is probably the reason why Hughes arrived at the flying field half an hour late. FINE WEATHER REPORTED FIRST STAGES OF FLIGHT United dress Assoclat lon -Bv Electric relegrnph Ctioyrivht (Received July 11.' 8.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, July '). The aviator Hughes at 11.20 p.m. (E.D.T.) had reached the north ->r i end of Cape Breton Island, seven miles from New York. He reported fine weather, but Cape Race (Newfoundland) reported thick fog out to sea. HEAVY PETROL CONSUMPTION ATTEMPT TO REACH LAND United Press Assocta'.un -By Klpctnr Telegraph —Copyright (Received July 11, 9.0 p.m.) NEW YORK. July 11. Hughes sent a radio message at 2.30 a.m., when 1400 miles out, saying that he seriously doubted his ability to reach Paris, due to heavy petrol consumption. He estimated that at the present rate of consumption he would get only three-fourths of the way, and he is attempting to reach land. HEAVILY LOADED PLANE UNDUE FUEL CONSUMPTION EXPLAINED United Press uuti —By Klectrlc Telegraph —Copyright (Received July 11, 11.25 p.m.) NEW YORK, July I’.

A message received from Hughes at 2.30 a.m. explained that the unexpectedly heavy fuel consumption was due to the heavy load and r high temperature. Although the plane’s maximum capacity is listed as 17,000 pounds, Hughes took off with 25,000 pounds. The aviator's message said: “I am decreasing the horsepower gradually. All I can do is hope to get there.” Flight headquarters here, succeeded in making contact with the plane again at 5.1 a.m., but static prevented the reception of any coherent message. Headquarters said that their chai's indicated that Hughes was then 600 miles out over the Atlantic and th'y were of the opinion that he would reach Paris due to the lightening of the fuel load.

A later message reported that contact was re-established at 5.25 i. with Hughes who is reported in the position latitude 53.30 north and longitude 33.10 west which is approximately the halfway mark being 2070 miles from New York and 900 miles from the Irish coast.

A 15-mlle tailwind is aiding the sp.ed which at present is 299 per hour. It is extremely hopeful that he will reach Paris.