FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12776, 21 October 1919, Page 7

FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA.

CAPTAIN MATTHEWS’ ATTEMPT.

FOG CAUSES POSTPONEMENT.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received October 21, 10.15 a.m.) <> LONDON, October 21. Reports from the Continent state that extensive fog areas decided Captain Matthews to postpone the start of his flight to Australia. The prevailing fog in London and the South of England would not have deterred the pilot but lie thought it unwise to risk the uncertainty of landing. He had planned to reach Cologne in the first stage. Ho intends to make the most of the first day’s flight by covering a substantial distance, therefore he at midday to wait until to-morrow. Captain Matthews is determined to start if the nine o’clock Continental weather report is favourable. A crowd of friends gathered at the aerodrome at Hounslow. Captain Matthews and his navigator, Kay, submitted themselves to the attentions of many photographers. After they had completed the last details of packing their rations, consisting of cocoa, chocolate, tinned stuffs and the contents of thermos flasks, tho machine was tuned up “to the moment.” Tho mechanics had put the finishing touches on during the previous night. Every possible safeguard has beeu provided, including spare engine parts, also a spare propeller tucked inside tho machine, which, when fully loaded, weighs SOOOlbs,

The machine lias the international registration sign in large black letters on the upper and lower wings. Experts fear that M. Etienne Poolers air-cooled engines will be a possible source of delay when flying in the tropics, and express the opinion that Captain Matthews's water-cooled engine gives him a greater chance, but it is generally considered that the difficulties fire almost insurmountable within the allotted time. Hawker, who had intended to fly from a neghbouring aerodrome to escort Captain Matthews for a few miles, learned of the postponement of the flight by telephone. Hawker flew Captain Matthews' machine in all its tests and says that the engine is even more perfect than the similar one he used in his trans-Atlantic flight. A pilot flying such a machine must stand a good chance. Captain Matthews was asked whether he was confident that ho would succeed. Ho replied n(5, but he was hopeful. It was impossible, ho said, to bo confident in the face of such a task, but he was satisfied that nobody could have a better machine for the attempt. He had •just arrived from a farewell visit to his mother at Strangaer, and said, “ I hope soon to, reach my second home in Adelaide.”

*Kay is disappointed at the postponement, because to-day is his birthday and lie embarked from Australia for the front on his birthday. Ho had never thought of undertaking tho flight, but while awaiting repatriation he was approached by two Australian officers who failed to secure an aeroplane. Thus he got into touch with Captain Matthews. Kay, who was an engine expert at Ballarat, considers that with Alatthews’ knowledge of navigation, coupled with is own experience of engines, and both sharing the flying by means of dual controls, they have tho best possible chance. The human factor is reliable. The only unknown quantity is tho engine’s powers of endurance under conditions of such a varying character that a preliminary test is impossible.