TO THE POLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19478, 24 December 1925, Page 9

TO THE POLE

ANOTHER AERIAL EXPEDITION BACKED BY FORD, OF CAR FAME NON-STOP FLIGHT NEW YORK, Dec. 22. Reports are current that Mr Henry Ford, who recently entered the aeroplane manufacturing field, is to back a transpolar non-stop aeroplane flight early next spring from Point Barrow, Alaska, to Spitzbergen. The flight, according to the report, is being arranged by Sfofannson and others. The report also infers that Lieut. T. McCready, army and transcontinental flier, and Lieut. James Doolittle, holder of several army flight records, arc to pilot the plane. GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION. REQUIRES CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORITY. WASHINGTON, Dec. 23. The project. f<»r a. polar flight has been presented to the. War Departnient by Mr Ford’s chief engineer, but the officials have decided that Congressional authority is necessary for Government participation.

EXPEDITION’S OBJECT EXPLORATION OF UNCHARTED SEAS. STEFANSON NOT GOING. Received Decrmbcr 23, 9.25 p.m. (Reuter). NEW YORK, Dee. 22. Stefanson on Tuesday confirmed reports that he will not take part in the flight, but is assisting in the arrangements. An all metal Ford ’plane will be in charge, of George. Wilkins, second in command nf the Stefanson Arctic Expeditions in 1913 and 1918. The expedition will have the backing of the National Geographical Society. A Detroit, message states that the object, of the flight is the. exploration of uncharted sections of the Polar seas, and it. is also backed by the Detroit Aviation Society, of which William Mazo, chief engineer for Henry Ford, is president, but the Automobile "Mann factoring Company officials deny that Henry Ford himself is interested in the project.