THE SCHNEIDER CUP

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 192, 14 August 1931, Page 6

THE SCHNEIDER CUP

France May Not Take Part in Race. ITALIAN PREPARATIONS. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. “~ (Received August 14, noon.) LONDON, August 13. The aeroplanes for the Schneider Cup contest, to be flown over the Solent on September 12, will fly in the following order: —Britain, France, Italy. The first contingents of Italians have left for England. There is still some uncertainty concerning France participating. Both France and Italy have had misfortune during training operations. One of the leading French pilots was killed a fortnight ago and a few days after that, Italy’s senior pilot in the Cup team, Flight-Captain Monte, was killed. His machine, which was expected to do 400 miles an hour, sank in 300 feet of water in Lake Garda. + The French Air Minister, M. Dumesnil, on his return from the testing station early this week, said that a decision would be made shortly as to whether France would compete. It was probable that only one 1500 horsepower ’plane, with a short wing-span, would be ready in time for the race. Reports of high speeds attained by French machines are apparently exaggerated. They are not capable of more than 315 miles an hour. Italy is definitely coming over to challenge Britain for the supremacy of the air, stated an English aviation expert recently. There is no question whatever of her machines not being ready. One of her machines has already been in the air. Since that machine was up a new machine, equipped with two new Fiat engines, on which Italy’s hopes are based, has been flying at intervals during the week-end over Lake Garda. Two other new machines are almost ready to take the air. I am able to state on the best authority that the preliminary trials have been successful. The new machine has two engines, each developing 1500 horse-power. At full speed they are designed to give a flying speed of slightly over 400 miles an hour. It is believed that a speed very nearly approaching this was reached in the practice flight I was able to watch. Earlier in the year I saw a number of trial flights at Lake Garda in last year's machines. The new machine appeared in comparison to be infinitely faster. I make these facts clear because illinformed statements have been circulated to the effect that Italy is not taking the forthcoming contest seriously. The whole nation is behind the coming contest. Italy is definitely keen to lead the world in flying.