SECRET DASH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20107, 28 March 1928, Page 7

SECRET DASH

A GERMAN PLANE

“Bremen” Arrives In Ireland en

Route to America

k RADIO SET CARRIED

RELATIVES UNAWARE OF FLIGHT <By 'Telegraph—Per Assn.—Copyright J Received March 27. 8.20 p.m. (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, March 26. Hard on the heels of the Hinchcliffe tragedy comes another trans-Atlantic venture. The German Junker -’plane named Bremen, piloted by Kochi, with a mechanic, Spindler, and a passenger, Huenfeld, took off from Berlin at eight o’clock this morning and landed at Baldonnell aerodrome this afternoon. The ’plane was there welcomed by the Chief of the Irish Air Force.

The same aeroplane was used in th; abandoned attempt of August. 1927.

The utmost secrecy was observed by the three friends when they left Templehof aerodrome, and the name Bremen vf.s only painted on the fuselage last night, and no destination was announced, but they stated they were likelv to engage in a long distance test flight.

It is understood ‘that the route, via Ireland, was mapped out in order to avoid detection, and this was successful insofar as the ’plane was not sighted until landed in Ireland.

One reason for the secrecy is that German feeling against ocean flights in view of last year’s tragedies has grown since Captain Hinchcliffe was lost, and the airmen feared possible Government interference.

The Bremen is equipped with wireless, but has no collapsible boat. Though the airmen’s plans were not known to their relatives, it transpires that the authorities of the Free State were expecting the ’plane because two German mechanics had been at Baldonnell for a week.

It is reported that the Bremen, before going to Ireland, detoured through Holland for the purpose of Lovering over Doorn and dropping a bouquet Vo the ex-Kaiser from Baron Gunther. Von Huchnefeld is a bachelor and a Prussian aristocrat. He is a friend of the ex-Crown Prince and served in the war, where he was wounded. It is stated that he spent his last penny in financial adventures, besides collecting from his friends for the purpose of insuring the crew of the ’plane for 110,000, though he is not insured himself. He carries a loaded revolver which, he admits, he will substitute *or life-saving apparatus in case of teed. AMERICAN WOMEN AERIAL CIRCUIT OF EUROPS MAY FLY TO AMERICA LATER

(A. & N.Z.) BERLIN, March 26. Two Americans, Mesdames Esther Wanner and Mildred Johnson, have set out alone in a Lufthansa aeroplane on a circuit of Europe involving the crossing of the Alps. They may be passengers in July in all-metal Rohrbach three-engined flying boat in a dash across the Atlantic.

A NEW ZEPPELIN TWENTY-PASSENGER AIRSHIP MAILS, PASSENGERS AND GOODS (A. 4 N.Z.) BERLIN, March 26. The largest Zeppelin in Germany is now being constructed on La? Constance.

It accommodates 20 passengers, and is expected to ’y 19,000 miles round the world in 12 days, drawing on the gas in the envelope for fuel, and the envelope drawing in air to replace the gas.

It is destined for a mail, passenger, and goods service between Spain and Buenos Aires.

AVIATION IN BRITAIN TRANSPORT REGULATIONS WIRELESS AND LIFE SAVING EQUIPMENT. (A.P.A. Sun) LONDON, March 26. Sir Samuel Hoare, in answer to questions in he House of Commons, said that passenger-carrying aeroplanes were subject to the same regulations as other transport with regard to compulsory wireless and life-sav-ing equipment. He did not think it advisable to insist that every aeroplane going 1,000 miles from Britain should be similarly •quipped. LIUET. KINKEAD’S DEATH. EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. (A.P.A.-Sun) LONDON, March 26. At the inquest on Lieut. Kinkead, the pathologist’s report stated that the analysis of the blood and lungs showed no sign of carbon monoxide or lead. The examination of the lungs for tetrethyl proved negative. It was not thought possible that Lieut. Kinkead suffered ill-effects of vapour of fumes.