TWO BABY ’PLANES START LONG FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18056, 17 January 1927, Page 9

TWO BABY ’PLANES START LONG FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA.

SOLO PILOTS WILL <=• HELP ONE ANOTHER. (Special to the “ Star.”) LONDON, November 10. One of the most daring adventures in the history of aviation began yester day morning when, in great secrecy two British civilian pilots set off from Stag Lane Aerodrome in two Baby D.II. “Moth” machines for a destination which, although it was officially described as “unknown,” is Australia.

The two pilots are Mr T. Neville Stack, chief instructor of the Lancashire Aero Club, and at One time a pilot on the Cairo-Bagdad air -mail, and. Mr Bernard S. Leete. a 'member" of’ the Lancashire Aero Club and an R.A.F. officer in charge of night bombing ’planes during the war.

In an interview with a “Westminster Gazette” representative before setting off, Mr Stack said:

“Our ultimate goal is Australia, but we intend to keep on flying and flying as long as the propellers keep turning. “Our aim is to further the cause of commercial' aviation by proving the practicability* of long-distafice flights in small machines, just as Sir .Man Cobham has been doing with a larger machine.

“Both Mr Leete and myself are using ’planes of 20-80 h.p., and our kit weighs less than 101 b, as we have to leave room for a special petrol tank.

“Each of us will act as our own mechanic, and should either of us have trouble and have to descend suddenly, the other will also land and assist.”

The pilots will first make for India, flying by stages of between 400 and 500 miles a day. One of the most dangerous stages in their journey” will be a “hop” of 700 miles from Tripoli, where it is intended to land after the Might across the Mediterranean, across hostile territory”. A forced landing on any part of this territory, said Mr Stack, means a great risk of death. It was only- Mr Stack's experience as a desert pilot which induced the. Air Ministry” to grant permission for the flight. There will also be a hazardous “hop” of 500 miles across the water at one point, while the Persian Desert is another obstacle to be negotiated.

“If, and when, we get to India,” continued Mr Stack, “it is our intention to try and form flying clubs which will promote greater interest in aviation over there. After India, we shall continue our journey and, while we are prepared for anything, we shall have Australia firmly” in our minds.”

The Air Ministry has given permission to the adventurous pilots to make use of all R.A.F. stations in Egypt and Iraq. The flight, which is being privately financed, was originally to have started several days ago, but a discovery” that the petrol tanks supplied were too heavy caused a delay. The bad weather of the week-end caused yet another postponement.