FLYING THE ATLANTIC.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15836, 5 June 1919, Page 9

FLYING THE ATLANTIC.

ANOTHER BRITISH PLANE PREPARING. inatnliui and N.Z. Cable Association Received June 5, 2.30 p.m. NEW YORK, June 4. The New York Times’ St. John's correspondent states that a Ticker’s Timy bombing plane, which will attempt the trans-Atlantic flight, has arrived, and the work of unloading has begun under the direction of the pilot, Alcock, aad the navigator. Brown. The plane will occupy Hawker’s hangan. It is believed that, after a brief test, the machine will he flown to Harbour Grace, whence the start will be made. Alcock and Brown are members of the Royal Flying Corps, and were captured hy tne Germans during the war. They expect to be ready to make the flighr' before the Handley-Page machine, which is making preparations. The Timy plane is fitted out with twin 330 horse-power, eight-cylinder. Eagle RollsRoyce engines, and carries 865 gallons of petrol. The plane has a speed of 90 miles, and a cruising radius of 3400 miles. THE ADMIRALTY AND HAWKER. REPLY TO CRITICISM. LONDON, June 34. Questioned in connection with criticisms from Australia regarding the non-assistance to Hawker, the Admiral, ty point out the extreme difficulty of arranging to patrol the Atlantic, especially when the British Navy is engaged in war operations in four areas. The public have no idea what efficient ocean patrol means. It would necessitate the use of scores of ships and entail tremendous expense. We have had experience of what the search for aviators meant in the North Sea during the war, when flotillas were frequently 3 sent out, but only on one occasion gave efficient aid to aviators. Warships were virtually useless. The proper method of assisting was to send seaplanes to locate the missing aviators. No date had been fixed for Hawker’s departure, and the airships might have been patrolling the ocean for months.