FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0422.PDF
FLIGHT, MAY 6, 1982 GERMANY TO CHICAGO BY FLYING BOAT ON April 28 Capt. von Gronau told the Royal Aero nautical Society something of his flight, last year, from Germany to Chicago via Faroe Islands, Ice land, Greenland and Labrador, in a Dornier " Wal " flying boat. Col. the Master of Sempill, who was in the chair, mentioned in introducing the lecturer that Capt. von Gronau had come over specially from Warnemiinde to give his lecture and show his lantern slides and film. Capt. von Gronau entered the German Navy 21 years ago, and after some years transferred to the Naval air service. He was now director of the Verkehrs Fliegerschule. Col. Sempill recalled that it was in 1929 that Capt. von Gronau conceived the idea of making a flight to America via the northern route, and made a trial flight as far as Iceland and back. In 1930 he made the flight to America, via Iceland and the southernmost point of Greenland, and finally last year he made yet another flight over the same route, but this time he flew across Greenland from east to west in order to avoid the fogs usually found along the southern portion of the east coast of Greenland. Capt. von Gronau then read his paper, which was inter spersed with lantern slides. Generally speaking, the flight was without serious incident, although luck seems to have been with the crew of the " Wal " on more than one occa sion. Two 700-h.p. B.M.W. engines had been fitted in the machine in place of the Rolls-Royce " Eagles," and on a flight along the Greenland coast one of the engines began to steam and smoke. On alighting it was found that two pistons had seized in their cylinders, but for tunately two spares had been brought along and were fitted, although great care had to be taken not to drop a single bolt, nut or split pin, as it would probably have fallen overboard and prevented repairs being effected. Of navigational difficulties there were not a few, due mainly to the proximity to the magnetic north pole, and difficulties were experienced on more than one occasion with finding petrol dumps. In some of the more outlying districts of Greenland the language problem was a very real one, the crew vainly trying German, English, Danish, and the " international sailors' language." However, one way or another the difficulties were over come, and the flight across Greenland from Scoresby Sound to Godthaab was safely accomplished. From there the flight went via Hudson Strait, Hudson Bay, and Lake Michigan to Chicago. Three sets of maps were carried, and each differed from the other, and all differed from reality. Capt. von Gronau then showed a film he had taken during the flight. The fact that the full-size film was not printed on non-inflammable celluloid prevented that from being projected, and a small (16-mm.) film had to be shown instead. One imagines that Capt. von Gronau had a camera in which the view finder was placed some dis tance above the lens, for in many of the " shots " a fore ground in the form of a portion of the aircraft blotted out most of the picture. For all that the film was very in teresting and showed that, during a couple of summer months at least, Greenland is not as desolate and cheer less as might be imagined. For the rest of the year, how ever, it is probably a very different story, and any air service which might be attempted would have to deal not only with extensive fog flying, but presumably also with quite a good deal of night flying. Often, one imagines, the aircraft would be compelled to fly through fog in the dark, which does not sound alluring. A number of people made remarks after the showing of the film ; of a discussion, one can scarcely speak. But two points emerged which had any serious bearing on the chances of a northern air route from Europe to America: Col. Shelmerdine thought that, after seeing the film (which was taken during August, be it remembered), one was left without very great confidence in the feasibility of the route, while Mr. Watkins, of the British Arctic Expedi tion, thought that with proper bases established, the route would be practicable. In reply to certain questions asked, Capt. von Gronau said that he carried small compasses and big compasses, light compasses and heavy compasses, an earth inductor compass and many magnetic compasses. He also had a sun compass, but owing to its great air drag it was not used. Most of the navigation was done by wireless direc tion finding, and magnetic variation was checked by the sun. The ice formation on the wings would probably be likely to occur during six months of the year, but he thought the route possible, although the southern one, via Cape Farewell, would probably be the better if proper bases were established. After the lecture Capt. von Gronau was entertained at a dinner given by the Society at the Hyde Park Hotel, Maj. T. M. Barlow, chief engineer of the Fairey Company, being in the chair in the absence of Mr. C. R. Fairey. Si IS E THE DEUTSCH DE LA MEURTHE CUP S [ir^HE Aero Club of France has just announced a '•3 IK new International Challenge Trophy, to be _HL known as the Deutsch de la Meurthe Cup. It will be open for international speed competi tions for land and sea planes (and amphibians) over a course of at least 2,000 kilometres (1,242.8 miles). This distance will be divided into two flights of 1,000 kilo metres (621.4 miles) each, and a landing of not more than 90 minutes between them will be allowed. The entries will be limited to single-seater planes, repre senting recognised clubs, whose engine or engines have a cylinder capacity not to exceed 8 litres (1 gallon 6.08 pints). No change of pilots will be allowed. They must remain the same throughout the Contest. Any kind of fuel can be used. Repairs and refuelling are permitted. The start of all the participating planes will be made simultaneously, the machines being stationary on the starting line with their engines turning. Each of the participants will be required to prove, at least 15 days before the date set for the Contest, that he has flown at the rate of 200 km./hr. (124.3 m.p.h.), or better, over a closed circuit course of 100 km. (62.14 miles). The fuel tanks of his plane must be full at the start of this trial flight. The entrance fee is fixed at 2,000 francs (£20 approxi- National Aviation Day NEXT week displays will be held at: May 7 and 8, Gloucester, Parton Farm, Cheltenham Road ; May 9, Walsall, Calderfield Farm, Mellish Road ; May 10, Melton Mowbray, Chestnut Farm, Fortytwo Acre, Sandy Lane ; mately) per plane, 1,000 francs of which will be refunded to planes starting in the race. This Challenge Cup has a value of 20,000 francs (£200 approximately), and a sum of 100,000 francs (£1,000 approximately) in cash will be awarded the winner in addition. The Club which the winning pilot represents will hold the Cup until the succeeding Contest. These Contests must be held once in at least every two years. The Cup will become the property of the club which wins it three times, not necessarily consecutively. The foregoing is a general outline of the regulations as so far announced. The rules are now being printed and will shortly be made public. It is learned unofficially that the first Contest will be held in 1933, probably in the district adjoining Paris, known as "la Bauce." This is a large open section of country lying to the south-east of the French capital, in the direction of Orleans. For this first Contest the entries will necessarily be limited to land planes or amphibians, and the courses will be laid out over closed circuits bounded by distances of 100 to 200 km. (62.14 to 124.3 miles) each. Entries will be received by the Aero Club of France from May 1 to July 18 next, after which there may be a penalty attached. R. C. W. 5s5 §5 £3 May 11, Derby, The Flying Ground, Stenson Road ; May 12, Nottingham, Tollerton Aerodrome ; May 18, Mansfield, Rushley Farm, Derby Road ; May 14, Rugby, Lawford Heath ; May 15 and 16, Enfield, The Old Polo Field, Bramleys Farm, Cockfosters Road. 390
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
