FAST TRIP MADE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20295, 3 May 1934, Page 1

FAST TRIP MADE.

Airmen Reach England in Record Time. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received May 3, 11.30 am.) LONDON, May 2. Mr Bernard Rubin and Mr Ken Waller landed at Eastbouprne, having flown from Darwin in eight days and twelve hours. Mr Robin says: “I believe we have broken Mr Mollison’s record, but it will not be recognised, as it was not officially timed.” Mollison deplores the Aero Club’s decision not to recognise Rubin and Waller’s record. lie says that it was a wonderful achievement for them and for British engines. The aviators had one thrilling moment over the Timor Sea, when the engine suddenly ran faultily and the machine lost height. At first they were perturbed until they remembered that one fuel tank was not properly filled and had run dry. It was only a mattei of switching from one tank to the other. They reached Calcutta on April 2G, Aleppo on April 30, and left Rome this morning.

The worst day’s flying was through the low clouds when crossing France, and they flew blind through the Channel fog until they saw a house which they recognised as a friend’s bungalow at Pevensey. They landed at Eastbourne. Only thirty persons saw the landing, the arrival being quite unexpected. Mr Waller explained that when they left Darwin they had no idea of breaking the record, but as they got on they found they were making good time, and decided during the last two days to go all out. The trip was most valuable in giving them a better chance in the Melbourne race. The worst section was from Rangoon to Singapore, and from Darwin southwards was also bad, travelling over rough country with no place for landing. Describing the bad weather over France, he said that the fog was so bad at Le Touquet that the authorities forbade their departure, but after waiting for some time they were allowed to go after having signed a document freeing the aerodrome staff from responsibility.

Mr J. A. Mollison, in August, 1931, flew a De Havilland Moth light plane from Australia to England in eight days 22hr 25min. He flew 10.000 miles. Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith, with Messrs C. T. P. Ulm, W. M’William and H. G. Litchfield, flew over a 10,500 miles route from Australia to England in 12 davs 2Hhr. This was in JuneJuly, 1929.

RUBIN WAS PILOT. (Received May 3, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, May 2. In the flight to England Rubin pilots ed the plane throughout, while Waller navigated. Waller taught Rubin to fly only last summer. A GOODWILL VISIT. Mr Ulm to Fly Tasman Next Wednesday. SYDNEY. May 2. Mr C. T. P. Ulm intends to fly the Tasman again in his aeroplane Faith in Australia next Wednesday, weather permitting. He will fly to New Zealand from Richmond Aerodrome, taking goodwill messages from the GovernorGeneral (Sir Isaac Isaacs) and the Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons), which will be in the nature of special replies to those recently brought to Australia from Mr Forbes (Prime Minister of New Zealand) by Mr A. B. Lane (manager of the New Zealand United Press Association). Mr Ulm says that no mail will be carried this time, the flight being merely a good-will visit. The same crew will accompany him as on the last occasion. He hopes to return to Sydney pn the following Friday or Saturday.