SIR A. COBHAM’S FLIGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 106, 8 May 1933, Page 7

SIR A. COBHAM’S FLIGHT

TO AUSTRALIA NON-STOP. Received Mav 7. 8.10 p.m. LONDON, May 6. Sir Alan Cobham departs for Australia after special tests on Alay 13. Ho is confident that he will reach Darwin in five day. He had hoped to start early in May," but thoroughness in his preparations has been essential. Sir Alan Cobham recently expressed complete satisfaction after the first trial flight at Portsmouth with the air speed Courier monoplane that is being equipped for his non-stop refuelling flight to Australia. The machine is a low-wing monoplane of the type built for passenger and air mail work, normally carrying fuel for six hours and possessing a cruising speed of .143 miles hourly. Space for only two instead of six passengers is provided in Sir Alan Cobham’s machine, which is furnished with five tanks in the wings, the total fuel capacity being 288 gallons, enough for about 26 hours’ flying between refuelling. On the Australian trip the monoplane will refuel while in flight, from four or five aircraft that will meet it at fixed points. A feature of the machine is the retractable undercarriage which, according to Flight-Lieut. Stainforth, who made the first tests of the machine, will add 40 miles hourly to the speed by reducing air resistance. The machine is fitted with an Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IV. C engine that develops a maximum of 242 horsepower.