FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1924
1924 - 0254.PDF
MAY 1, 1924 PROGRESS IN THE BIG FLIGHTS ROUND-THE-WORLD FLIGHTS BUT little progress has been made during the past week by the British and American world-flyers. Having successfully completed the first stage of the world-flight, i.e., Calshot- Karachi, misfortune once again befell Squadron-Leader MacLaren and his Vickers-Napier "Vulture" amphibian flying boat at an early stage of the second section. Strangely enough, the trouble this time was somewhat similar to the mishap which brought them down at Corfu, when the engine reduction gear stripped. In the second mishap the bolts holding the reduction gear-wheel in situ sheared, thus placing the second engine out of commission, with cracked crank-case, etc. But of this more anon. As regards American progress, at the time of writing it is reported that Major Martin, who made a forced landing on his way to Chignik, is on his way to Dutch Harbour, where the other three aviators have been awaiting him since April 20. Last week we left Squadron-Leader MacLaren at Bandar Abbas, at the foot of the Persian Gulf, where he arrived on April 22. At 8.25 a.m. the next day, April 23, a start was made on the final 750 miles of the first stage, to Karachi. Two hours after leaving Bandar Abbas they passed over Jask, and just before mid-day landed at Charbar, having completed about 325 miles. After a stay here of nearly two hours they resumed the flight to Karachi, where, dead on to schedule time, they arrived at 6 p.m., having covered this last 425 miles in 41 hours. On arrival they were accorded an enthusiastic welcome, and were received by Mr. Rieu, Commissioner in Sind, Major-General Cooke, commanding the Sind and Rajutana district, Wing-Commander Hicks, commanding the Royal Air Force, and by many other notabilities. Having thus completed two " legs " in the same day, Squadron- Leader MacLaren and his companions were naturally some what fatigued, but thoroughly fit and happy. Thus the first stage of nearly 5,000 miles ended. The next two days, Thursday and Friday, were spent in giving the machine and engine a thorough overhaul and clean up, in which the R.A.F. at Karachi rendered valuable assist ance. Squadron-Leader MacLaren, F.O. Plenderleith and Sergeant Andrews also took the opportunity of obtaining a well-earned rest. On Friday they received a telegram from the Viceroy, offering his heartiest congratulations on the fine flight to India, and wishing every success on the journey to come. Early on Saturday morning (April 26), just after 7 a.m., they started off on the second stage, to Tokio, of 5,880 miles. They hoped to reach Nasirabad, the first stop, 519 miles away, by about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Fate said other wise, however, for at Partu, but 140 miles from their goal, the reduction gear gave out once more. Fortunately, they managed to effect a safe landing, without hurt to the machine or themselves. Examination of the breakage disclosed the fact that it was a case beyond a matter of " spare parts," and so Squadron-Leader MacLaren forthwith returned by rail to Karachi, where it is hoped he will be able to arrange for the despatch by air of a new engine. If this can be managed the delay will be considerably lessened. Of the American attempt the latest report to hand states that Major Martin, the leader of the flight, left Kanatak, where he had been effecting repairs during the week, on Friday, April 25, and arrived at Chignik (a distance of 150 miles) in the evening. It was his intention to fly on to Dutch Harbour and rejoin the other three members of the flight on Saturday, but so far no further news on this point has been received. Reports from Dutch Harbour stated that weather conditions were good, in spite of the intense cold— the three machines being coated with snow and ice. The American team, of four Douglas biplanes (400 h.p. " Liberty "), consists of Major F. L. Martin, Lieuts. L. H. Smith, L. Wade and E. H. Nelson, and mechanics. They started from Santa Monica on March 25. The British flight is made up of Squadron-Leader A. S. C. MacLaren, Flying Officer J. Plenderleith and Sergeant Andrews, on a Vickers (Napier "Lion") amphibian flying boat. Respective mileage (approximate) completed to date— American, 3,050 miles ; British, 5,270 miles. PARIS-TOKIO FLIGHT FOR the past six weeks the eyes of the aviation world—and the world in general for that matter—have been centred upon the rival efforts of the British and American aviators in their respective flights round the world, during which time the Americans disposed of some 3,000, and the British 5,000, miles of the total distance to be covered. Then during the week-end, like the whirlwind that accompanied it, comes the Frenchman, Lieut. Peletier d'Oisy, who—without any pre paration to speak of and flying a standard military machine-— covers about 3,000 miles of much the same route as that marked out in the world-flight in not more than six days ! Starting from Paris on April 24, Lieut. d'Oisy, accompanied by Sergeant Vesin, set forth on his remarkable dash for Tokio, a distance of about 11,200 miles. Seven hours after leaving Villacoublay he passed over Budapest, and four hours later he landed at Bukarest, having thus accomplished a non-stop flight of 1,140 miles in about 11 hours. Spending the night at Bukarest, he resumed his journey at 9 a.m. the following morning, and, flying via Adrianople, Constantinople, and Konia, arrived at Aleppo at 5 o'clock the same evening, having made another fine non-stop flight of 930 miles in eight hours, during which he encountered verv BUSHIRE BAGHDAD / A 271K-L 2BT„, BANDAR ABBAS KAR.AC.rv P ^Hgf MILES O 2O0 PARIS-TOKIO FLIGHT : Sketch-map of the route taken by Lieut. Peletier d'Oisy in his dash to Japan, when he left Paris on April 24 and arrived in Karachi on April 29. 254
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
