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Aviation History
1931
1931 - 1268.PDF
J FLIGHT, DECEMBER 4, 1931 Bert Hinkler Flies The Atlantic Brazil to Africa in a De Havilland " Puss Moth " O UR " Great LittleMan," Bert Hinkler,who in 1928 initiatedthe "on to Aus- tralia by light plane " cam-paign—which, it seems, is to become a serious rival to Charley's Aunt as a hardyannual—has once more estab- lished a noteworthy feat inthe world of flying. He has succeeded in accomplishing the first solo flight from SouthAmerica to Africa, and the first Atlantic crossing in alight plane. It was typical of Bert Hinkler that his intention ofmaking this flight was kept secret up to the last minute.When, however, last October Bert Hinkler made his recordnon-stop flight of 1,600 miles from New York to Jamaica,and later proceeded on towards Brazil, many felt that he hadsomething " up his sleeve." While on his way to Brazil,Bert Hinkler met with a little adventure, which will, know-ing Bert as we do, make good telling when next we meethim. When he landed at Fort Aleza, in the State of Caera,N. Brazil, he was arrested and his machine impounded—owing, it was stated, to hispapers not being in order. However, the British Charge d'Affaires at Rio de Janeiro intervened and secured hisrelease, so Hinkler was able to proceed. We next hear of him having left Natal, Brazil, at 11.05 p.m. (G.M.T.)on November 25, en route for Dakar on the West Coast of Africa—a distance of about 2,000 miles. He did not A snapshot taken at Trinidad of Bert Hinkler (centre) during his flight to Brazil. With him are, right, Mr. Michael Cipriani (the one and only " Moth " owner in Trinidad) and Mr. E. R. Lickfold. arrive at Dakar when duethere, and at first some anxiety was felt on his behalf.Some time later, however, news came to hand that hehad landed at Bathurst. Gambia, on the morning ofNovember 26, having com- pleted the journey across theAtlantic in 22 hours. After a rest at Bathurst,Hinkler refuelled and flew to St. Louis, Senegal, on Novem-ber 27. Next he flew on to Cape Juby and Port Etienne,arriving at Casablanca on November 29. Here he waswarmly received by the French authorities, whoawarded him the Moroccan Cross. Bert Hinklerdecided to stay at Casablanca for a short time, in orderthat he might thoroughly overhaul his machine andengine. This accomplished he will proceed via Lisbon toEngland, where he is due next Saturday at Hanworth. We need not, we think,comment further here upon this remarkable flight of BertHinkler's, as we refer to it in our Editorial columns, andit only remains for us to record that Lord Londonderry, Secre-tary of State for Air, sent a telegram of congratulations toHinkler on his " achieve- ment in making his flight and adding to the prestige ofAustralian airmen and British aircraft and engines." Finally, his " Puss Moth " machine, although fittedwith a " Gipsy " engine of only 120 h.p., lubricated with Wakefield Castrol Oil, averaged 80 m.p.h. for 22 hoursover nearly 2,000 miles of open sea, despite its heavy load of extra fuel. BERT HINKLER'S 'PUSS MOTH": A standard de Havilland product, with "Gipsy" engine, except for extra tanks and certain " Hinklerisations." Indian Air Force Wing THE following message emanated from Delhi at theend of October:—The Secretary of State has accorded sanction to the formation of an Indian Air Force Wing ofthe Indian Technical and Followers Corps of the Royal Air Force in India. The Wing, like the rest of the Corps,will be maintained in India under the authority of the Governor-General in Council. The terms and conditionsof service for the Indian Air Force Wing will be as follows: Enrolment will be confined to persons who havecompleted a full period of apprenticeship in workshops of State-managed railways in India. The maximum age limit for enrolment into all trades will be 24 years. Thebasic railway trades required are those of blacksmith, coppersmith, electrician and fitter, the number of postsbeing 22. Scrapping R100 IN the House of Commons on November 25 Sir PhihpSassoon, Under-Secretary for Air, stated that the cost of R.I00 might be put at £363,000, exclusive of the cost of theflight to Canada and other experimental flights and subse- quent maintenance charges. In selling the ship for scrap,the Air Ministry had retained the engines and one bay, which latter would be used for experimental purposes. 1190
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