TO KARACHI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19841, 16 May 1927, Page 7

TO KARACHI

FOUR THOUSAND MILES British Aviators to Attempt Longest Non-Stop Flight USE LATEST AEROPLANE GREAT BISK IN STARTING WITH HEAVY LOAD. [By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright.] Received May 15, 5.5 p.m. A. and N.Z.) LONDON, May 14. While vast areas of the ocean are still to be searched for Captain Nungesser and Captain St. Romain, and preparations are advanced for the American airmen’s dash to Paris, Flight Lieutenants Carr and Gillman, of the Royal Air Force, have announced that they will hop-off on Sunday in the greatest non-stop flight ever attempted, from England to Karachi, a distance of 4000 miles. Their machine is fitted with a RollsRoyce “Condor’ ’engine of 650 horsepower. The route will be by Central Europe, Asia Minor and the Persian Gulf. A special run of 600 yards has been prepared to get the great machine, with its three tons of petrol, into the air. It requires, in addition, a wind blowing at least 15 miles an hour. This is a Royal Air Force service flight, designed to prove that the latest type of aeroplane is capable of overcoming most difficulties. The Daily Telegraph’s aviation correspondent says: “It has been suggested that this is a costly way of demonstrating practicability, but it is the only satisfactory way. Theories must be tested. For example, there will be an enormous difference in the load when most of the fuel is consumed, and the actual behaviour, as the weight is lessened, is of great scientific value. There is a great risk in starting with such a load, but as far as human foresight compasses this, it can be overcome. The worst risk is engine failure early; if this unhappily occurs parachute landings arc inevitable. “After eight hours’, flight the machine will be sufficiently lightened, to land safely, but one of the greatest difficulties will be landing when the tanks arc empty. Britain cannot be still in the- face of the big aviation deeds of other nations.”