FOOLHARDY ATTEMPT, IS OFFICIAL VIEW.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18149, 7 May 1927, Page 6

FOOLHARDY ATTEMPT, IS OFFICIAL VIEW.

ARMED TROOPS GUARD NUNGESSER’S ’PLANE. (Received May 7. 2.15 p.m.) LONDON. May 7. Coincident with Captain St. Romain’s thrilling trans-Atlantic crossing, which is officially regarded as foolhardy because he removed the floats, a giant air liner circled London ori its first pleasure cruise, just as a pleasure steamer might run round Sydney Harbour. This tells the story of the amazing advance of aviation. Giant planes with compartments that can be converted into sleeping cabins will soon be operating regularly from London to the Continent and experiments are progressing with seaplane services for the same route, alighting on the Thames. Several big department stores in London are showing aeroplanes in the windows for private sale. Lloyds have introduced an air arrival and departure list. Many citizens already own private 'planes, which are utilised daily for the purpose of coming to London and returning from business. At present the chief interest in the trans-Atlantic aspirants centres in Captain Nungesser, who arrived at Le Bourget to-night in preparation for taking off for New York. Amazing scenes accompanied his arrival. A huge crowd rushed the cordon of police on the flying field and 200 troops with fixed bayonets who were ordered to protect the machine thereupon formed a ring round the hangar. Captain Nungesser was forced to take refuge. Captain Nungesser and his assistants are at present busy with obtaining the various necessary supplies. The food consists of caviare sandwiches, bananas and coffee. The departure, which is a close secret, is expected to take place on Sunday. The airman is undecided which route to take from a choice of three. One would be from Cherbourg along the English coastline to the Gulf of St. Lawrence; the second from Cherbourg across the Atlantic to Boston and thence to New York; and the third from Cherbourg to Newfoundland, thence to Halifax and New York. Present indications are that he will favour the latter because there is less risk of encountering icebergs. A fleet of four triple-engined “Silver Wing” air liners is available for afternoon pleasure trips over London, under the auspices of the Imperial Airways.