SCHNEIDER CUP.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17219, 30 September 1927, Page 5

SCHNEIDER CUP.

WEBSTER’S EXPERIENCES. COCKPIT LIKE A FURNACE. GLAD TO GET OUT OF IT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Sept. 28. The winner of the Schneider Gup race, Flight-Lieutenant S. N. Webster, in an interview published in the Daily Mail, says:—“So terrific was the speed of my machine that to turn round at the points marked by pylons t had to select landmarks some distance before I came to the turns as a signal to be ready to turn. My attention was so concentrated on the flight that I did not see any of the signal (lags which were hoisted at the Excelsior Hotel during the race to tell us what was happening. “I had calculated that I should complete the course in about 50 minutes. When I had done the seventh lap I looked at my watch, ancl as I saw' I had been up only about threequarters of an hour I feared I had made a mistake and decided to fly another lap to make sure. The cock-pit of my plane was like a furnace. I was mighty glad to get out. When the flight was over I was absolutely deaf, although I had not noticed any noise W'hile I was in the air.” Lieutenant Webster added that although the race had involved great nervous tension, the actual speed did not affect him physically, and he felt in as good condition at the end of the race as at the beginning. LATER. RETURN OF THE VICTORS. DUE AT CROYDON TO-DAY. AN ESCORT > OF MACHINES. (Received September 30, 10.30 a.m. LONDON, September 29. Elaborate preparations are being made to welcome the British Schneider Gup team at Croydon on Friday. They will fly from Le Bourget, escorted by Imperial Airways machines. FLIGHT-LIEUT. WEBSTER ENGAGED LOVE LETTERS BY AIR. . (Received September 30, 12.55 a.m.) LONDON, September 29. An unexpected sequel to FlightLieutenant Webster’s success is an announcement that he is engaged to Miss Enid Darnley, of Ipswich; The bride-to-be slates the wedding will take place next month, or as soon as the “fuss" is over. Flight-Lieutenant Webster, who was recently stationed at Martlesham Heath, used to fly low’ over his sweetheart’s house at Ipswich and drop love letters in the garden. The lady says everybody in the household was most frightened, hut she wasn’t.