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Aviation History
1928
1928 - 0421.PDF
MAY 24, 1928 PRIVATE FLYING A Section of FLIGHT in the InteresU of the Private Owner, Owner-Pilot, and Club Member CAPE TOWN-ENGLAND FLIGHT Lady Heath's Return LADY HEATH completed jher 10,000-mile flight from Cape Town at Croydon Aerodrome on May 17. Her Avro " Avian III " appeared over the aerodrome punctual to the time anticipated, escorted by the A.D.C. Aircraft Com pany's service D.H. " Moth " " (Cirrus) piloted by Capt. Neville Stack with whom, as passenger, was Mrs. Stack. He had previously flown as far as Ashford and returned, thinking he had missed the Avro " Avian," but Lady Heath had landed at Lympne on her final lap from Paris. After leaving Croydon again Capt. Stack met her about 15 miles out. When Lady Heath stepped out of her machine she was dressed in a black straw hat and walking dress in place of the usual flying gear, and her fresh appearance made it difficult to imagine that she had flown through many climates and with many vicissitudes from S. Africa, after spending previous months under the African sun, touring the flying clubs. first taking part in Cape Town's first air meeting on 'Decem-ber 11 Maior Miller left in his D.H. " Moth " with her and the first club visited was that at Port Elizabeth. A WestlandWidgeon " was presented to the club by the Mayor and christened " Lady Heath." Joy-riding was carried tint inwhich the Avro "Avian" helped, to the financial benefit of the club, and also won a ten-mile race over a triangularcourse piloted by its owner. East. London was the next stage of the tour, and wasfollowed by Durban, where two flying days had been arranged The usual lucrative joy-riding took place in the interests ofthe local club. On January 21, Lady Heath readied Johannes- burg, after visiting Roberts Heights, where the' well-knownairmen Sir Pierre van Ryneveld and Lieut. R. R. Bentley were met. The latter escorted her on the resumption of thetour to Johannesburg, flying in his D.H. " Moth " (Cirrus) [" FLIGHT " Photograph HOME : The Avro "Avian III " ("Cirrus " 30-80 h.p. engine) taxying in at Croydon aerodrome on May 17after the first solo light 'plane flight from Cape Town to England. In the background are some mechanics of A.D.C. Aircraft whose engine played such a reliable part in Lady Heath's tour. Sir James Heath, her husband, Mr. John Lord of A.V. Roe & Co., Capt. Walker and Mr. Olney, of A.D.C. Aircraft Co., greeted her. On behalf of the latter company, a lady presented her with a bouquet and all the A.D.C. employees emerged from the adjoining works to raise a cheer. From their point of view it was further satisfaction to know that the Cirrus engine, in spite of its exacting trials in varying climates, was still in such perfect order that Lady Heath positively refused to have it touched, although it is her intention to engage in the Hamp- shire club's meeting at Hamble at Whitsun with the same engine. Its record during the African tour and homeward flighthas been unblemished. Credit is due to the pilot for this as well, for after each stage she always made the advisoryinspection and adjustments Beyond changing gaskets, no other exchange of parts was necessary. FLIGHT readers will be familiar with the greater part ofthis tour. To summarise it all : Lady Heath went out to S. Africa last December with Sir James by boat, taking thenew Avro " Avian III " She. was welcomed at Cape Town by the local club and then began a tour of all the clubs after and carrying both Lady van Ryneveld and Miss Dorys Oldfield (now Mrs. Bentley) in the front cockpit. A local club machine met them over the city, piloted by Capt. Bellin. More joy-riding followed in which the Avro " Avian " helped ; also a big flying meeting was arranged. Lady Heath won a race in which Major Miller, Lieut. Bentley and Capt. Bellin (local instructor) were her competitors in DH. " Moths." The homeward flight began at Pretoria on February 25 after an overhaul of the machine at Roberts Heights. On the stage to Bulawayo she suffered from sunstroke whilst in the air and landed in native country, where a night was spent in a native hut. Motorists found her safe the following day. Two days later she reached Victoria Falls. By March 14 Lady Heath, Lieut. Bentley and Mrs. Bentley, were reported at Nairobi. The next stages were Kisumir (270 miles), and Jinja (200 miles). She was not allowed to cross the Sudan without the escort of Lieut. Bentley. After Mongalla on March 29, came Malakal and Kisti (700 miles), Khartoum (185 miles). 385
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