FAMOUS AIRMAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 223, 21 September 1936, Page 7

FAMOUS AIRMAN

Campbell Black Oearl IRONY OF FATE TAXI-ING ’PLANES COLLIDE TRAVELLING AT 15 MILES AN HOUR CENTENARY AIR-RACE WINNER [B.v Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright! Received Sept. 20, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 20. In the aviation equivalent of a pushbike collision, the noted airman, Mr. Campbell Black, was fatally injured at Speke Aerodrome, Liverpool in “Miss Liverpool the First,’’ presented to the city in order to participate in the Johannesburg air race under Black’s pilotage by a local business man, Mr. John Moores, who was giving. a party at the aerodrome when the accident occurred. Black had completed a test flight and had landed safely. He climbed into the ’plane again in order to take off for Gravesend to undertake final preparations for the South African flight. He then taxied, preparatory to rising, when he collided with a large Air Force Hawker-Hart bomber returning after a flight, and also taxi-ing. Neither apparently was aware of the proximity of the other. The Hawker-Hart, just before the impact, swung in a turn, but it was too later, and its revolving propeller tore up Black’s cockpit. Both ’planes, after travelling 20 yards, interlocked and stopped. The crew of the HawkerHart jumped out uninjured, but Black was lifted dying from the cockpit. He was severely injured on the left side, including a head injury and a punctured lung. Eye-witnesses said that both ’planes were taxi-ing at 15 miles an hour. The weather was misty and overcast and the white body and black wings of Black’s machine apparently reduced the visibility, preventing the Air Force pilot perceiving him. Suddenly either or both machines swerved, the Hawker-Hart piling itself on top of Black's little ’plane. The designer of Black’s machine, Captain Percival, was greatly shocked. He referred to the irony of fate overtaking Black after his escape from the perils of previous dangerous flights. Mr. C. W. A. Scott, broadcasting, sounded a similar note, adding that it was impossible to be cooped up in a small aeroplane for three days and three nights with a man struggling together to achieve a definite goal and not learn to know, respect and love him. Mr. T. Campbell Black is best known to the world for his feat as co-pilot to Mr. C. W. A. Scott in winning the speed section of the Milden-hall-Melbourne Centenary air race toward the end of 1934. Piloting a De Haviland Comet, a type of machine which was specially constructed for the race and was untested, these two intrepid pilots covered the distance from Mildenhall Aerodrome to Melbourne in 52 hours after experiencing engine trouble over the latter portion of the trip. Mr. Campbell Black was born in Australia. "Strange, is it not, how, knowing a person by reputation alone, one seems to know him intimately without having met or even seen him?’’ wrote C. W. A. Scott of Mr. Campbell Black in “Scott’s Book.” “Believe it or not, that was the case with Tom Black and myself until we met at a cocktail party in London last October. We got on famously from the moment somebody introduced us and we said our ‘How d’ye do’s.’ Then and there I decided to ask Torn to be my copilot in the eveht of my ability to get a machine for the job. In the Aero Club the next morning I said to Black: 'What about teaming up with me in the Macßobertson Air Race?’ Tom did not stop to ponder. ‘Yes,’ he answered, ‘Good idea Scotty. I’m with you all the way.’ Then and there, over two cups of coffee we came to a solemn agreement that in no circumstances would either of us take a hand unless we flew together .... My last word must be to Tom. I shake him by the hand and I think he knows what I mean when I say I am so happy he has shared with me the distinction of winning lhe Macßobertson race.” The winning of the Centenary Air Race consummated Mr. Campbell Black's romance with the English actress, Miss Florence Desmond. He proposed to her prior to the start of the race but she informed him that she would give him her answer when he had landed in Melbourne. At the conclusion of the race he communicated with Miss Desmond by radio telephone and their engagement was announced. Some months ago, when making an attempt on the record from England to the Cape, Mr. Campbell Black's ’plane crashed and he and his co-pilot were saved by parachutes. It was their intention of discarding these safety devices, but just befo.e their departure it was decided to carry 'chutes as a result of the insistence of Miss Desmond, who had since been married to Mr. Black. Mr. Campbell Bieck’s death makes the third air tragedy this year of leading pilots connected with the Centenary Air Race. The first loss was Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor, who with Mr. H. Walker, was the first pilot of a light aeroplane to complete the course and break the existing, light 'plane record from England w Australia. Three months ago Mr. C. J Melrose met his death when making a trans-continental flight. He was placed second in the handicap section and was the only solo flyer in the race.