POSTPONED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 242, 12 October 1928, Page 7

POSTPONED

weather again HOLDS UP FLIERS PLANS ARE LPSET £ Per Press Association ■ BLENHEIM, Oct. 11. The last few days’ inactivity oi the Southern Cross fliers came to an end yesterday with the announcement by Dr. Kidson that conditions were improving and there was a prospect of favourable weather today or on Friday. Dr. Kidson at 9 o’clock this morning recommended a take-off at 2 • ’clock this afternoon, and orders were given to prepare the big ’plane for an immediate take-off. bhe was refuelled and at midday was ready for the journey. A further report from Dr. Kidson at noon was considered and the fliers decided to make a daylight trip and take off at 4.45 a.m. to-morrow morning, unless Dr. Kidson advises against this course. A later message states that the official advice has been received that the Southern Cross will leave at 4 1» a.m. to-morrow (Friday). VISIT TO WELLINGTON TLIGHT IN BRISTOL FIGHTER [ Per Frees Association ] • BLENHEIM, Oct. 11. Squadron Leader Kingsford Smith this afternoon flew to Wellington and back in one hour and 20 minutes in a Bristol Fighter, returning with Major T. W. Wilkes, director of aviation in New Zealand. Staff Captain Findlay, in a DH 50 arrived from Sockburn with Messrs L. Scholfield and Burns, of Christchurch, as passengers. On receipt of a weather report fjroni Dr. Kidson. embodying a report from Mr Hunt, New South Wales’ meteorologist, it was decided that the Southern Cross should take off at 4.45 to-morrow morning, and unless a report expected at 11 p.m. to-night is unfavourable, the •plane will leave at the time stated. . UNFAVOURABLE REPORT WEATHER AGAIN INTERFERES [ Per Press Association 1 BLENHEIM, Oct. 11. The flight of the Southern Cross has been postponed again, an unfavourable weather report having been received at 11 p.m. Reports inuicate that it will probably be 48 hours before another opportunity presents itself. There are reports of thunderstorms over Sydney and the Australian report stated that if the trip were undertaken it would be unwise to trail the long aerial over the latter jurt of the jou-ney cn account of the risk of light ring. PROPOSAL DEBATED’ FLIGHT TO TF.ENTHAM [Ter Presj Association. I WELLINGTON', Oct. 11. The question as to whether a start should be made at 2 p.m. was debated said Dr. Kkison today. 4 ‘Fresh south-westerly winds would have been encountered on the first portion of the route and light to moderate northwesterlies on approaching Sydney but owing to the draw backs of night flying, especially with a heavily-loaded machine, Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith decided to postpone the start. The take off will be made at noon to-morrow morning (Friday) if conditions jjvmain reasonably favourable. The decision will not be made uptil the latest reports from Au tralia are received.” Kingsford Smith landed at Trentham this afternoon at 3.30 from Blenheim and without stopping the engines picked up Major T. M. Wilkes, of the Air Force, and returned to Blenheim. Kingsford Smith took to Trentham with him a Territorial proceeding there for military camp. Hi?: stay was •nly four minutes. THE SOUTHERN CROSS PERFECT RUNWAY REQUIRED [ Per Press Association. 1 BLENHEIM. Oct. 11. The necessity for a perfect runway for the Southern Cross was emphasised by some figures given to a Press representative this morning by SquadronLeader Kingsford Smith. These show that when she takes off the Southern Cross will be called on to lift a total weight of 12,846 lbs. This is not her record, for the Southern Cross lifted 15,800 lbs. when she attempted to lower the endurance record at San Francisco early this year, but it is a very big lift for a machine of her wing surface. The Southern Cross herself weighs 6000 lbs. and 750 gallons of petrol weigh 5700 lbs. Hrr 24 gallons of lubricating oil weigh 216 lbs., the crew 640 lbs., the rations 40 lbs., smoke bombs etc. 150 lbs, and mail matter 100 lbs. more or loss, giving a total weight of 12.846 lbs.

This morning after a careful survey of the weather conditions Dr. Kidson advised the flyers to fly from Blenheim direct to a point in the Tasman 36 degrees South and 165 degrees East, which is a spot in mid-Tasman approximately in the same lattitude as Auckland. From this point the fivers will steer direct for Sydney. Unfortunately they will meet no ships en route. According to Dr. Kidson they should encounter fresh south-westerlies for the first 300 miles, averaging about 20 miles per hour. He recommends thet if they are found to be stronger the Southern Cross should put back.