FINE FEAT OF AVIATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 119, 23 May 1932, Page 7

FINE FEAT OF AVIATION

MRS PUTNAM CROSSES ATLANTIC FIRST SOLO WOMAN FLIER MAKES FASTEST TIME THROUGH FOG AND STORM TO IRELAND LANDING (By Telegraph—Prt?s Association— Copyright) Received May 22, 7.10 p.m. LONDON, May 21. Creating three records, the American, Mrs. Amelia Earhardt Putnam, formerly Miss Earhardt, who was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic in company with others, today completed a successful solo venture, landing in Londonderry, Ireland, after taking off from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. Mrs. Putnam is the first woman to accomplish a solo transatlantic flight and the second person to cross solo from east to west. Her time, which is computed variously at from 13 to 15 hours, is the fastest yet for the journey, and Mrs. Putnam is also the first flier to cross the Atlantic twice. Mrs. Putnam’s aeroplane is a fast Lockhead monoplane fitted with a Wasp motor. It has a cruising speed of 140 miles per hour.

DRAMATIC ARRIVAL BATTLE WITH STORM BREAKAGES ON 'PLANE American naval experts estimate that Mrs. Putnam’s time was 15 hours 39 minutes aud British air circles IT hours 56 minutes. “I’ve done it, but I am sorry 1 didn’t make Prance,” said Mrs. Putnam, who is acclaimed as the heroine of woman’s noblest triumph in aviation. She has celebrated the anniversary of Colonel Lindbergh’s flight by creating three records —the first woman to fly the Atlantic alone, the first flier to cross the Atlantic twice, and the holder of the fastest time, which is 13 hours 15 minutes according to her own computation, beating Aluuck and Brown’s record, which has stood for 15 years. Mrs. Putnam’s arrival was as dramatic as the flight, which was notable for comgating dangerous machine troubles lor ten hours in a storm and fog. bhe alighted in a field near a farmhouse two miles from Londonderry, and was greeted by Mr. Gallagher, the owner, w r ho was amazed to recognise the red and gold body of the ’plane, of which he had just previously read a description. Mrs. Putnam hurried to Londonderry to announce hot arrival.

Bhe said that three hours after the start the altimeter stopped functioning at a height of 1200 ft. Thereafter she flew low till the weather forced her up. Four hours out she saw flames shoot from the exhaust. She thought “That’s done it,” and found that the exhaust manifold had burnt out. Bu*. the engine stuck it. “I had a thou sand miles to go,” she said. “The weather was good for a space and then became worse with many thunderstorms. 1 found ice forming on the wings owing to the height. Later rain came aud some fog. Finally the petrol gauge iu the cockpit broke. 1 felt petrol running down the back and began to fear that the fuel would not last the journey. I only saw one ves-

sel, a tanker, off the coast’ of Ireland, * which I circled hoping that the ship would radio my whereabouts. The storms curtailed Mrs. Putnam’s speed. She aimed at Valencia but hit. the middle of Ireland and flew north, looking fur a town. Fearing a fuel shortage, she landed when she found a suitable field. Mrs. Putnam is receiving world-wide congratulations. t Mrs. George P. Putnam (wife of the president of the Knickerbocker Press, a publisher and author), formerly was Miss Amelia Earhart. She was born at Boston in 1899. As an occupation she took up social work and was eventually appointed head of Denison House, a Boston social settlement. As a recreation she went in for aviation, qualifying as a pilot. In 1920 she established an altitude record for women by attaining a height of 14,000 feet. In June, 1928, there were two

women on the Atlantic coast of the American Continent who were ambilious to be the first to fly across the ocean, and each had an aeroplane ready for the attempt. One was Miss Mabel 8011, the “Queen of Diamonds,’’ and the other Miss Earhart. On June 18 Miss Earhart started from Trepassey, Newfoundland, and gained the honour. He aeroplane, the Friendship, was a Fokker. The pilot was IlWilmer Stultz, an airman of much ex perience, and he had Mr. Lou Gordon as mechanic.

The Friendship was the first- seaplane to accomplish the Atlantic flight and it was fortunate that it was of that type. By the time the machine was.close to the British coast the petrol supply was nearly exhausted, and in spite of the throwing over board of much of their equipment the aviators found it necessary to descend in an estuary of the Welsh coast instead of at Southampton. The flight was accomplished in a few minutes less than 22 hours. When in London Miss Earhart received many offers of cinema and stage engagements, but she refused them all, preferring to return to her social work in America She married Mr. Putnam on February 7, 1931.

RIVAL AIRWOMAN SAME JOURNEY PLANNED SPECIALLY-DESIGNED MACHINE NEW YORK, May 22. Miss Elinor Smith, aged 20, of Free port, Illinois, has been planning to make a solo flight across the Atlantic some time early this month. She says the only supplies she intends to take are “two raisin buns and an orange.” Miss Smith has had an aeroplane designed for the trip, “and as it can make 180 miles an hour, I do not think I will have any trouble in reaching Dublin in time for tea.” Her proposed route is from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, to Dublin, and she expects to cover it in 12 hours. the flight will be “a strictly sporting proposition,” and is being backed by a woman unknown to Miss Smith, after whom the machine will be named Mrs. Question Mark.

FLIERS KILLED FAMOUS ’PLANE CRASHES Received May 22, 7.10 p.m. ROME, May 21. While the world is acclaiming Mrs. Putnam’s flight, Mr. George Eudresz, accompanied by Mr. Bittay, wireless operator, flying the ’plane, “Justice for Hungary,” with which they last year flew the Atlantic non-stop, crashed when arriving to attend Signor Mussolini’s meeting of internatloal air pilots. Both were killed.