Southern Cross Over the City.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18577, 27 September 1928, Page 10

Southern Cross Over the City.

FOKKER MONOPLANE GIVEN TEST TO-DAY. The Southern Cross was wheeled out of its hangar early this afternoon—a somewhat ticklish job bein<? smartly performed under the supervision ofCaptain Findlay. For the first time since her arrival on September 11 the engines of the Southern Cross were given a warm up by Captain Findlay in preparation for the arrival of Squadron-Leader Smith and FlightLieutenant Ulm. The operation was watched by a large crowd of people round the roped enclosure. At ° 20 pjn. preparations were made for fc.ring the machine a test flight. The crowd was moved back while the Southern Cross was run out from in front of the hangar towards the centre of the ground. A Beautiful Take-off. At 2.30 pm. the Southern Cross, with Squadron-Leader Smith and Captain J. L. Findlay in the pilot’s seat, taxied away from the hangar. In the cabin of the Southern Cross were Mrs Findlay, Mr and Mrs Eccles, of Claverley, where Captain Findlay landed on his flight from Blenheim, and Mr Litchfield. The machine taxied to the eastern end of the ground, turned sharply and ran up into the wind. It made a beautiful take-off after a run of not more than 200 yards. It flew low over the ground and then climbed abruptly, circling away to the south. In a very short space of time the machine appeared to be well down over the city. The Southern Cross appeared over he city at 2.32 p.m., her first flight since her arrivaL The approach of the great machine was heralded by the roar of her propellers, which was extraordinarily loud. Soon every vantage point was occupied, roofs and verandahs being alive with spectators. For a few minutes the city stood still and watched the machine soaring in the sky. A fine circle was made over Cathedral Square, and the Southern Cross then headed for the Cashmere Hills. In a few minutes the Southern Cross was back again over the city, and once again she gracefully circled the Square, at a lower altotude than before, while thousands stood and watched. The machine then headed again for the Wigram Aerodrome. The people of Christchurch certainly appreciated seeing the machine in action once again. Flight Lieutenant Ulm did not fly in the Southern Cross, but made a uight with Captain Buckley in an Avro. The Southern Cross arrived back at the aerodrome a quarter of an hour after taking off, bein~ attended on the return journey by Captain Buckley and Flight Lieutenant Ulm in the Avro. The Southern Cross, on its arrival back at the ground, circled down once low down and then made an easy landing.