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Aviation History
1933
1933 - 0952.PDF
FLIGHT, NOVEMBER 9, 1933 like islands of safety, right through the country, are land ing grounds ; but often many hundreds of miles apart. It is the next ground or nothing and many of the grounds in the monsoon are unserviceable. The shadow of the Astraea on the water races below as we make fast time. The " white horses " gather below as the strong wind increases, and the only sign of life is a lone whale seen half-way across which broke water in a smother of spray and disappeared into the depths. At three hours out the wind died off and the sky became overcast. Fifteen minutes later land appeared through mist and rain storms, and at 3 hr. 40 min. out, after having passed over the Island of Timor, a landing was made at Koepang. The 520-mile crossing was perhaps done in record time. Koepang has an excellent landing ground, and the Dutch officials were kindness itself. One of them told us there are 4,000,000 natives on the island, and as we flew over, numerous native huts and clearings in amongst the jungle and on the hillsides indicated a large population. Koepang itself, a nest of native huts and red roofs, nestles in the thickest tropical foliage and lends invitation to a visit. Our first introduction to the East, and a small indication of the wonders which are to come. After shaking hands with the Dutch President, the Customs Officer, and Postmaster at Koepang, we again took the air and set out on the 525-mile stage to Lombok Island. The strong wind had somewhat abated, but was still sufficiently strong to enable a steady ground speed of 130 miles per hour to be maintained. Scattered white clouds floated at 4,000 ft., but Maj. Brackley kept the machine low to take advantage of the following breeze, at 4,000 ft. the wind was dead ahead. Flying along at 1,500 ft. we were soon out of sight of land again ; but not for long, as Savu Island soon loomed up ahead and was quickly passed. A possible landing ground was noted. The Island of Sumba was next headed for. Out of sight of land again, then the low shores of the island came into view. Flying along its north-eastern coastline a fine view of the island was obtained. Not very thickly populated, but with a few native villages here and there. The wild horses, which the Dutch authorities told us run loose in numbers on the island, were not seen. Another stretch out of sight of land, and we were skirt ing Sumbawa, leaving far to our right Bima, where so many England-Australia flyers have landed. Along the shores of Sumbawa dense jungle met our view shorewards as it stretched away to the foothills of mountains lost in cloud and mist. Here and there a clearing existed in variably accompanied by a few native huts. Flying at 1,000 ft., and as headland after headland was passed, a new view broke out to hold the interest. The wind fresh ened again and roared up the Straits, whisking us on from Sumbawa, and to a sight of Lombok Island, the end of the day's stage. The Astraea roars on ; we are skirting the shores of Lombok—flat fertile plains all waving with crops stretched inland, and away on distant Sumbawa and adja cent islands are the cloud- wreathed and jungle-clad moun tains. The East at last!—a first taste of the beautiful Dutch Indies. Soon a perfect landing is made on the excellent Rambang aero drome and, after being met by officials and the local Shell repre sentative, we proceed to the town of Selong, where we are to spend the night. Lombok has a native popula tion of 260, and only five whites —Dutch officials. Unspoiled by over-contact with Europeans, here was an untouched gem of the islands. Tropical verdure ; the gaily bedecked vehicles drawn by little Timor ponies; the stately carriage and bright garments of the women ; the impish children —all lent enchantment. Maj. Brackley (fourth from right) and Capt. J. L Prcndergast (third from right) with party at Batavia. We dined at 10 p.m., Selong time (11.15 p.m. Darwin time), and as we had breakfasted at 6.45 a.m. Darwin time, it was a long day, several members of the crew going to bed and then getting up for dinner. Fowl, omelet, and bananas constituted the fare, and as the Rest House people were not expecting visitors, the little fowls had to be caught. They were too active for the native cook, and their capture had to be postponed till they went to roost. The normal meal hours for the Dutch officials at Selong are: Breakfast 8.30 a.m., dinner 3 p.m., supper 10 p.m. There were only three beds in the excellent Rest House, and there were six in our party, but they were huge Dutch beds, so we turned in comfortably, two in each bed, with a " Dutch wife " in between. So to bed, with lizards in the roof chirping like birds, and dog birds in the trees making a nose like a circular saw in action. The dew dripped down like rain from the high roof and eaves of the roof, and the moon shone in patches through the huge tropical trees outside. We had travelled 1,045 miles in 7 hr. 50 min. flying time—from Darwin to the tropical and glamorous East. What an interest and an adventure! The same will be available to all Australians when the new Empire Service opens. July 11, 1933 6.50 a.m. local time: Taking off from Rambang. A perfect morning, and the 11,000-ft. Randjoni towers in the background, the last 4,000 ft. of its majestic crater- crested top sticking out of a flat plain of cloud. Now we fly over fiat country fissured with great cracks, relics of the day when some giant quake rended the plains. Even the " cracks " are cultivated and all appears wonderfully green and prolific. As we skirt the huge extinct volcano the view is magnificent in the extreme. A wonderful panorama now unfolds itself, as in quiet comfort, mountain, plain, and sea roll by. Bali, the wonder island, is passed, and we fly on up the coast of Java, finally to land at Sourabaya in tropical Java. We had wirelessed from over Bali for sandwiches, and sure enough on landing we were met by Mr. Pugh, of the Shell Company, who had a fine hamper with him. The Dutch company, K.I.L.M., have an excellent hangar at Sourabaya of 100-ft. span. There is a good concrete tarmac area and a fine club-house. All gave the appear ance of good organisation and proper catering for both aircraft and passengers. The Shell organisation have two electrically operated refuelling points and no time was lost in filling up and getting under way. The trip along the Javanese coast, from Sourabaya to Batavia, still in good weather, was full of interest, flat fertile plains predominated, with the mountains, some of them volcanic, half-hidden by cloud away inland. At Batavia the aerodrome facilities were even better than at Sourabaya, and we were sorry not to be able to accept an invitation to spend the night at Bandoeng, the 1118
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