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Aviation History
1933
1933 - 0953.PDF
FLIGHT, NOVEMBER 9, 1933 A LIVELY ISLAND : An Aerial view of the marine volcano of Krakatau, between Batavia and Muntok. headquarters of Dutch air operations. Before we left for the city, a Fokker, F.18, came in from Bandoeng, and an F.7 left for the same place. Very great interest was shown everywhere in the Astraea, which is certainly the most up-to-date and efficient aeroplane yet to visit the Indies. Arrived in Batavia after an interesting drive, which could have been twice as long; we reached the Hotel des Indes. Our flight over Java and stay at this luxurious hotel was teeming with interest. Time was all too short, and we had to hurry on. Java, the Jewel of the Indies, the brightest star in a brilliant constellation, has been well named. Again a late dinner and to bed with a " Dutch wife," and not a vestige of bedclothes provided, but this time one took the precaution of having a very large afternoon tea at 6 p.m., and so " stayed the distance," with com fort till dinner and the accompanying brilliant night life of orchestral music out on the plaza, and dancing. The Astraea had flown 688 miles in 6 hr. 30 min and the interest quickened. July 12, 1933 We are in the air again and soon make out across the water for Muntok, on Banka Island, where we will refuel. It is very cool in the air, contrasted with the muggy ground heat. The coast of Sumatra appears, nothing but dense swampy jungle meeting the sea in an oose of mud. Not very inviting country to be forced down in. All along the coast are seen the extensive native fish traps. Brown, the Astraea's wireless man, is again in touch with Sydney, Dar win, and Koepang, and Singapore is j advised of our probable time of land ing. An excellent equipment, speaking of British ingenuity in experimental adoption and honest construction. At Muntok, a pretty and interest ing little island settlement, the Astraea is refuelled, and away we go apin on the stage to Singapore. At 12 noon we pass over Equator, no longer are we " down under," but ' up over," and Prendergast gives the machine a good sharp dip in Salute to King Neptune. " Just as well on a sea like this," he explained, and except for a few small wooded islands we were out of sight of land at the time. The Astraea roars over Singapore, a maze of ship ping, steamers, native junks and bumboats in the harbour, and imposing buildings along the waterfront. We fly over the magnificent Civil Airport in course of construction and land at the military airport, complete with hangars and the usual aerodrome organisation. Half-an-hour after we landed a deluge of rain lasting 25 min. broke, locally called a " Sumatra "—the Astraea was safe in the hangar. A drive through rubber plantations and native villages and we are at Raffles Hotel, where another interesting evening was spent, with the usual later dinner fortified by afternoon tea. We had flown 595 miles in 4 hr. 45 min., and the Astraea, after her wonderful flight from London to Mel bourne, was still running perfectly, never giving one moment of trouble. After the long stages one stepped from the machine fresh and clean and without the usual experience of deafness and headache, which is associated with more noisy types of aircraft. On our next stages—Singapore-Alor Star-Rangoon- Akyab-Calcutta—the worst flying country in the world— over which the monsoon was at its height, a test for the Astraea would surely come. (To be continued) SINGAPORE : This view, taken from the Astraea, shows the reclaimed ground to be used as an airport. 1119
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