SEAPLANES' CRUISE.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17223, 5 October 1927, Page 7

SEAPLANES' CRUISE.

BRSTASN TO AUSTRALIA. AN AMBITIOUS UNDERTAKING. (British cflicial Wireless.) RUGBY, October 3. Further particulars are now available of the 25.000 miles air cruise from England to India, Singapore, Australia and the Far East, which is to be undertaken this month by foui Royal Air Force seaplanes. The machines are of the Southampton type. Each is equipped with an all-metal bull, which is about 9001 b. lighter than the old wooden hull. ■ Each has two 450 horse-power Napier-Lion engines.

The seaplanes are to leave Plymouth on October 17. They wilt need no help from the shore except for mooring and refuelling. The crews will cook the meals and sleep aboard. Rations and spare parts will be carried. Group-Captain 11. M. Cave-Brown-Cavc will be in command of the planes. In addition to pilots, mechanics, riggers and wireless operators will be carried.

The tour will undoubtedly be the most ambitious service flight yet undertaken. In the early stages the machines will fly to the French seaplane station at Hourtin, near Bordeaux. From there they will fly over the land to Berne, and continue via Naples, Brindisi and Alexandretta, across the Syrian desert to the Euphrates. The party will stay for some time at Karachi before beginning the cruise of the Indian coast-line, calling at Columho en route to Calcutta.

From Calcutta the airmen will proceed, via Rangoon, to Singapore. There they will make a halt. Afterwards they will go via the Dutch East Indian Islands to the Australian seaboard and fly round Fremanlle and via Melbourne to Port Darwin. Afterwards they will fly back to Singapore. The tour will occupy about 12 months.