SCHNEIDER CUP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 196, 20 August 1931, Page 7

SCHNEIDER CUP

BRITISH PILOT'S DEATH

’PLANE DIVES INTO SOLENT BABY OF TEAM THE VICTIM ■ By TJegraph—Press A^oeiation —Copyrlcht. I LONDON, Aug. 18. Tragedy overtook a British high speed flight when naval Lieutenant G. Brin ton, aged 24, the team’s baby, was making the first flight for the Schueidei Cup. The ’plane crashed, and he was drowned in the Solent. He was flying the ’plane which won th? cup in 1929, also flown by Orlebar when he made a world ’a record. The ’plane sped across the Solent at 100 miles an hour, rose slightly for a second, and then hit the water, throw ing up a cascade. It then appeared to bounce 40ft. and finally crashed and disappeared amid a column of spray Within a few. seconds the floats appeared. Comrades quickly swam to the ’plane, which was drifting. The floats were completely torn off. Aircraftsman Candy reached the ’plane and even secured hold of Brin ton, but was unable to unstrap the body belt. The machine was towed ashore. Flight-Lieutenant Brinton visited the Antipodes as a midshipman on board the Dragon, when she formed part of a special service squadron on a world cruise. Later he was posted to the air-craft-carrier Courageous after a short service in the Hood.

EACH LOST A PILOT

BRITAIN, ITALY AND FRANCE. Received Aug. 19, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 19. Flight-Lieut. Brinton’s ’plane was towed ashore but the body was not found in the cockpit. It is believed that the belt with which he was strapped in, broke, and the body wa« washed away. Three contesting countries have now each lost a pi'ot Italy has lost Flight Lieut. Monti and France, Flight-Lieut. Bougault. BODY RECOVERED Received Aug. 19, 11.25 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 19. Flight-Lieut. Brinton’s body was found in the tail-end of the wrecked fuselage, evidently forced from the cockpit by the rush of water. ARRANGEMENTS FOR RACE GUIDES FOR THE COURSE. [British Official Vireless. | Received .ng. 19, 7.50 p.m. RUGBY, Aug. 18. Pylons, marking the three angles of the Schneider Trophy contest course, are to be placed in position on Thursday. The pylons will be plain orange, which will render them easily seen. In order to enable the pilots, travelling at a tremendous speed round the course, to pick up the pylons quickly in the crowd of shipping’ it may be possible to employ searchlight beams, which will be cast on the water from each pylon in the direction from which the machines are coming. The beams should be visible at a distance of six miles. COSTLINESS IN LIVES RACE NOT TO BE REPEATED. Received Aug. 19, 11.50 p.m. PARIS, Aug. 19. Expressing the opinion that this year’s will be the last Schneider Trophy contest, the journal L’Auto says that the costliness in lives and money has caused the competing Governments to see the end of the event. Great. Britain should win it outright in September unless an unforeseen catastrophe occurs. There is little likelihood that any nation will offer a prize to perpetuate the race.