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Aviation History
1924
1924 - 0518.PDF
AUGUST 14, 1924 PROGRESS IN THE BIG FLIGHTS Round-the-World Flights WITH Squad.-Ldr. MacLaren " out of the race," so to speak, and the Americans with their task all but completed, the greater share of interest in the Big Flights now centres round the new aspirant for the honour to be the first to fly round the world—Major Pedro Zani of the Argentine Air Service. Major Zani, it will be remembered, accompanied by his mechanic Beltrame, left Amsterdam on July 26, flying a Fokker CIV. (Napier Lion) biplane, and on August 5 he had got as far as Nasirabad, having thus covered some 5,500 miles in 11 days. On Wednesday, August 6, he continued his journey and arrived at Allahabad at 9 o'clock in the morning. In re suming his flight early next morning he met with a slight mishap in taking off. Owing to recent rains the ground was rather soft and the wheels sank to such an extent that the propeller struck the earth and was smashed. Fortunately, a spare propeller was available, but this caused some con siderable delay, and it was not until 9.30 a.m. that he was able to make a start for Calcutta. A large crowd of officials and spectators awaited his arrival at the Dumdum Aerodrome, Calcutta, but they waited in vain, for neither man and machine nor news of his whereabouts reached the aerodrome up to a late hour that night. On the following afternoon (August 8), however, Major Zani turned up safe and sound at Calcutta. He stated that he had to make a forced descent at Isri (Bikar), 200 miles or so from Calcutta, having encountered thick fog, which com pelled him to descend to within about 30 ft. of the ground before he could find a suitable landing place. He remained in the machine throughout the night, with a large crowd of Indians surrounding him. It is reported that certain adjustments have to be made to the machine, and a new propeller obtained, before Major Zani will be able to continue his flight to Akyab. The following telegram was received in London by Shell- Mex, Ltd., from Major Zani, in Calcutta :—" My thanks to Shell for fine organisation of fuel and oil supplies. Quality and purity of Shell aviation spirit and super-Shell oil uni formly excellent." In the meantime the remaining American World-Flyers, Lieuts. Lowell Smith and Nelson, with their companions, Lieuts. L. P. Arnold and J. Harding, are still hung up at Reykjavik, Iceland, awaiting suitable conditions around Greenland for the landing there. Unfortunately, as time goes on matters appear to be getting worse rather fhan improving—the ice conditions off Greenland being very bad just now. On Friday last, Admiral Magruder held a con ference on the " Richmond," when it was decided to make a final effort to find a safe landing-place on the east coasf of Greenland before making any decision as to whether or not the remainder of the flight should be postponed. The U.S. cruiser " Raleigh," therefore, set forth with the object of ascertaining how matters stood along this section of the route, and to find a landing place as free from ice as possible. Lieut. Smith stated that he did not at all like the idea of refuelling at sea from the " Raleigh." It was suggested that it might be possible to fly direct to Ivigtut near Cape Farewell, a distance of 780 miles. The steamer " Gertrude Rask," which had proceeded to Greenland to make preparations for the American flyers, got caught in an ice-pack on the way to Angmagsalik, and a trawler, the " Kara " had to be sent from Reykjavik, with fresh supplies of coal. In short, conditions are bv no means promising for the successful completion of the American World Flight. As regards the other big flights, Sig. A. Locatelli, the Italian airman, who is following in the wake of the American World Flyers on a Dornier mono-seaplane, left Brough, Hull, on Saturday, and reached Houton Bay in 4 £ hours—1£ hours less than the Americans took to complete the same journey. Locatelli landed in the Holm of Houton—a somewhat danger ous point—and, but for the help of a motor-boat, would have drifted ashore. Shortly after, he proceeded to Stromness Harbour, from which place he intended to start on the Iceland trip on the first favourable opportunity. THE AMERICAN WORLD-FLYERS IN INDIA: We have received the above " snaps ' from Sergt. V. R. Fraser, who is stationed at Multan, one of the stopping-places on the American World-Flight. (1) No. 2 Douglas World Cruiser taxying on the " aerodrome " at Multan, July 3. (2) Unloading petrol and oil for the American machines (note the native method of transport). (3) No. 2 machine, " Chicago," at rest after its arrival. (4) No. 3 machine arriving at Multan, July 3. All three machines departed early next morning for Karachi. 518
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