CAPE TO CAIRO FLIGHT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16044, 7 February 1920, Page 3

CAPE TO CAIRO FLIGHT.

GSEM SBGKECY OSSESKESI

Auafccslisffl. asad N.Z. Cable AtmoeiatSkw, LONDON, 5.

In order to secure secrecy in connection with the Cape to Cairo flight, the firms obtained permission fob Customs clearance from, their own aerodromes. Consequently the Press was fcepfcin the dark regarding the date of departure. The secrecy was such that it only transpired this afternoon that Major Braofcky’s Handley Page machine actually departed a week ago, whereas it was generally understood that preparations were not yet complete. In formation has leaked, cart that the machine has kit Brindisi for Cairo. In connection with the Jewrpt nol news that a member o£ the crew. A, Stoton, was killed in Italy from the Australian’s Dehavilland machine, it is pointed out that the machine is of the modi modem type, equipped with' a Napier-Lyon 450 horse-power engine built under lieut. W, A. Townsend’s personal supervision. PARTICULARS AS TO THE COMPETITIONS. LONDON, February 5. Lieut. Townsend is a West Australian. Ho joined tie Australian Flying Corps as engineer, held a high reputation for skill, and soon secured his wings. His commission followed. Townsend was on the Capverde boat roll, and successfully made an eleventh hour appeal for cancellation in order to participate in fie flight. Lieut. Cotton is a Queenslander. He served in the Eoyal Naval Air Service since 1915. He invented the so-called. Sidoot one-piece flying suit. Both secured their discharge in England. Cotton was employed as pilot for the Airco, and Townsend as technical adviser for the Napier. Both hope to fly from South Africa after the completion of the flight, but in the event of a scarcity of petrol they intend to bring the machine by steamer and later proceed to Australia. Cotton contemplated participating in the Australian flight, but was unable to complete preparations in time. He also discussed entertaining the projected trails-Pad lie flight, which subsequently wa.s abandoned. Brackky was the p3ot chosen bo fly the Handley-Page machine in the transAtlantic flight, but returned to England after Tickers’ success. All the pilots engaged in the Cape flight have had much war service and many decorations. With the exception of the De Haviliand machine, all carried two mechanics, in addition to two pitots. Colonel Tan Eyneveld is Kason officer between the Air Ministry and South Africa. Lieut. Brand is a nephew of the late President of the Orange Free State. A WELL-KEPT SECRET, LONDON, February 5. The honour of first achieving the Cairo to Cape flight has been the subject of keen international rivalry. Italy and France were particularly anxious to deprive Britain of the premier position in long-distance flying, and made strong efforts to secure advance information in reference to Britain’s survey of the route and arrangements for landing, etc., but the information was kept a close secret until everything was in readiness for the flight. Eivalry amongst British firms was equally been. Broome was first to get away, but his subsequent progress was kept secret until be reached Cairo. Meanwhile preparations for the departure of the second Tickers machine were financed by the South African Government, which purchased the aeroplane, it being rapidly and secretly pushed forward.