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Aviation History
1927
1927 - 0099.PDF
FEBRUARY 17, 1927 PINEDO'S BIG FLIGHT Two Atlantic Crossings in 25,000-Mile Attempt As briefly announced in last week's issue of FLIGHT, the famous Italian pilot, Marchese de Pinedo, has started off on another of his long-distance nights. This new venture of his is, in a way, much more ambitious than his historic flight in 1925 from Rome to Australia, Japan and back, even though the total distance covered will not, in all probability, be so great. At the moment, full details of the programme to be followed by the Marquis are somewhat vague—especially regarding the latter portion of the flight—but the outstanding feature is undoubtedly the inclusion of a double crossing of the Atlantic during what may be described as an aerial tour to South and North America, covering a total distance of some 25,000 miles. Through the courtesy of Gen. A. Guidoni, the Italian Air Attache in London, we are able to publish herewith a sketch- map showing, diagrammatically, the route the Marquis proposes to follow. It should be pointed out, however, that the route shown is more or less " provisional " and subject to alteration once South America has been reached, as we under- stand that the Marquis has not yet decided on his later plans. He hopes, however, to visit Brazil, Argentine, Chile, Guiana, United States and Canada, whilst over " on the other side." It will be seen from the map that the first portion of the route lies over the same one taken by Com. Franco—Canary Is., Cape Verde Is., thence across the Atlantic to Pernambuco, on to Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, and Buenos Aires. He may then either cross the Andes to Valparaiso, or proceed right away up through the centre of South America, exploring the great rivers, to Guiana. In this case he will, on several occasions have to fly over land—and he is flying a seaplane ! It is possible, however, that the coastal route from Buenos Aires to the Northern continent may be taken—although Comdr. Pinedo demonstrated during his previous big flight that he had no fears in flying over long stretches of land in a seaplane ! From South America the Marquis will cross over to the West Indies, Cuba, and thence to U.S.A., probably at New Orleans. His subsequent movements are unsettled, possibly some of the big Pacific Coast Cities will be visited, also Canada —Winnipeg and Quebec—but almost certainly Chicago and New York. From New York he will proceed to Halifax (or St. John's, Newfoundland), and then comes the second Atlantic crossing to Lisbon, via the Azores. Thence back home to Italy. So much for the route, and now for other details of the flight. Marquis Pinedo will be accompanied by Capt. Del Prete as reserve pilot, and Sig. Zacchetti as mechanic. The machine, " Santa Maria," employed for this flight, is the Savoia S 55, a twin float—or rather, a twin boat—monoplane fitted with two 500 h.p. Isotta-Fraschini Asso engines. This type of machine was described in FLIGHT for April 9, 1925, so we need only say here that it is a thick-wing cantilever monoplane with the wings and power plant carried by two short boat-type floats, the tail surfaces being carried by out- riggers from the stern of each boat. The engines are arranged in tandem and are located high up on the centre wing-panel, between the boats. Some idea as to the general arrangement of the S. 55 may be obtained from the accompanying illustra- tion. The useful load carried is 7,500 lbs., including 6,000 lbs. for fuel and 600 lbs. for oil. This machine has a range of 1,900 miles, the cruising speed being 100 m.p.h. The span of the S.55 is 126 ft., overall length, 66 ft., and the wing area, 1,000 sq. ft. Marquis Pinedo left the Savoia works at Sesto Calende on 11 ^ ^="> MARQUIS de PINEDO'S Transatlantic Flight. Alternative Koutzs- MARCHESE DE PINEDO'S BIG FLIGHT : The above sketch map shows the route which will be followed, as far as at present planned, by the famous Italian pilot during his 25,000-mile Transatlantic flight. It will be seen that he crosses the Atlantic twice—first from Africa to Pernambuco, then on the return journey, from Halifax, or St. John's, to Lisbon via the Azores. February 8 and flew to Cagliari, Sardinia, whence 'he .stalled officially on his long journey on February 13, and successfully accomplished the first stage of 1,000'miles by flying to Kenitra, Rabat (Morocco). Proceeding the next day another 1,000 miles, to Villa Cisneros, was accomplished, and the same night Pinedo resumed his flight in the moonlight. He covered another 1,000 miles, arriving at Bolama (Port Guinea) next morning. MARCHESE DE PINEDO'S BIG FLIGHT: The Savoia S.55 military type mono-seaplane, shown above, is being used in this new effort. 87
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