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Aviation History
1929
1929 - 0151.PDF
JANUARY 24, 1929 THE ROYAL AIR FORCE FLYING-BOAT CRUISE (Concluded from page 52.) Log: Melbourne—Singapore Saturday, June 30, to Monday, July 30. Melbourne.—The aircraftof the Flight were accommodated at the Royal Australian Air Force Station at Point Cooke. The aircraft of the Flight were thoroughly examinedand found to be in good condition. The deposit of barnacles on the bottoms was practically nil, the special varnish on the bottoms of three of the hulls,and the white Rylard enamel on the bottom of the fourth hull, were in good condition. The paintwork o£ the hull was in good condition and only minor patchingwas necessary. All the superstructures were in good condition. The rigging of all theaircraft was checked, and only a few minor adjustments were found to be to public inspection at Point Cooke, and some 8,000 people travelled outfrom Melbourne to see them. The Victoria section of the Australian Aero Club arranged for the use of the club Moths by the officers of the Flight.After the test flights at Point Cooke the flying-boats were refuelled on shore to 300 galls, each by pumping from barrels which had been rilled fromthe R.A.A.F. station stock. On the afternoon of July 29 all spares, equipment and baggage werestowed in the flying-boats, which were left ready for launching. All crews slept at Point Cooke. Monday, July 30. Melbourne—Paynesville. 200 miles. (2 hrs.40 mins. ; 75 knots. Time 10 hrs. fast on G.M.T.)—The aircraft of the CHINA jAv/ J3 & Y BROOM E PORT HEDLAND MILES 0 200 4O0 690890 .1000 Approx. Scale DJ.M THE ROYAL AIR FORCE FLYING-BOAT CRUISE : Map showing the route taken during the Australian sectionof the Far East Flight, the flying visit to Hong Kong, and (inset) the journey from England. necessary. The engines of all the flying-boats had done about 250 hourseaah. Ordinary maintenance adjustments and examinations were carried out; the general condition of the engines was very good considering therunning they had done. All the metal airscrews were removed, repainted, examined and balanced ; they were all in good condition. During the last week of the stay each flying-boat was given a test flightof about half an hour to ensure that everything was in order. Throughout the stay the Air Board in Melbourne, and the R.A.A.F. atPoint Cooke and Laverton, did everything possible to assist the Flight— helping in the cleaning, repair and handling of the aircraft, and the supplyof stores, providing transport as necessary, making all arrangements for the remainder of the cruise in Australia, and entertaining the Flight mostgenerously. The flying-boats of the Flight were inspected by Air-Marshal Sir JohnSalmond, who was visiting Australia, and by many prominent Australians. On the last Saturday and Sunday at Melbourne the flying-boats were open 63 Flight were launched between 0S.30 and 09.30, each taxying and securingto the moorings to the west of the slipway at Point Cooke. Air-Marshal Sir John Salmond, the Commanding Officer and officers of the R.A.A.F:Station, Air Commodore Williams, Wing-Commander Spicer from the Air Board, Melbourne, and many more came to wish the Flight success. The weather was fine, sky 0-6 clouded, sea calm, wind N.W. 5 knots,barometer 29-4; temperatures, hull 48 wet, 50 dry, strut 42. Moorings were slipped at 09.50, and after taxying to warm the engines the Flighttook off in formation at 10.05 in 20 sees. After circling Melbourne, escorted by a Southampton and a Moth of the R.A.A.F., the Flight left for Paynes-ville. The course followed was over Mornington and Flinders Naval Base, and thence down the coast, cutting off Cape Liptrop and Wilson's Promontory,to Port Albert, which was circled at the request of the Air Board at 11.45, and thence direct to Paynesville. There appeared to be sheltered watersuitable for emergency landings along practically the whole route. The weather was fine except for a few light showers and low clouds near D2
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