1938-01-29 — Page 8

SECRET HEROES OF THE BRITISH AIR ROUTES

Rarely is public praise for hero- the sinking ship, and got the pas- ism given to those who regu-sengers safely ashore.

larly fly the British air routes.

Yet almost day after day there are The reason why nothing has been gallant deeds which equal anything allowed to lead out is official sec- at sea or on land.

recy.

There are heroes, too, among Take а récent instance the crash of the giant flying-boat those who safeguard the air routes Cygnus in Brindisi Harbour, in by maintaining in all parts of the which Sir John Salmond, director world the huge flashing beacons and wireless pylons which guide of Imperial Airways, was one

the pilots through fog and storm. the injured.

of

Two lives were lost, the victims being killed instantly, when the

of But most ship struck.

the others on board would have been drowned inside the craft had it not been for the heroism of First Officer B. Mountain,

On one occasion mishap put the flashing apparatus of one of these beacons out of action.

BRAVED 5,000 VOLTS

done at Something had to be once, for a machine was approach- ing, and the pilot, in the darkness, was likely to be misled by the ab-

His gallant deed has just come to light with the return of the eight surviving passengers, full of sence of the "flash." praise for his heroism.

HURLED THROUGH WINDOWS

When the craft struck, Mountain and a member of the crew were hurled through the cockpit win- dows. A huge hole was torn in the side of the ship, and the flying boat rapidly filled with water.

charge off his cap,

The engineer in promptly snatched and, wrapping it round mechan- ism through which 5,000 ́volts was passing, kept. the clappers! operating and the flashes send- ing out their warning. The machine landed safely. The gineer was found in a state of collapse.

en-

THE CHINA MAIL, JANUARY 29, 1938.

IDIR

30,000-

A close-up of Captain J. T. Bürgess, in command of Imperial Airways flyingboat Centaurus, which is now conducting a mile survey flight to New Zealand. (Copyright).

This Plane is Three

Planes In One

A small twin-engined British feet for cargo.

When used as an

Another example. Lights on Without hesitation, First Officer wireless pylons near an airport in Mountain plunged into the water, the desert failed. Necessary re- and at the risk of being sucked un-pairs could not be done for several aeroplane which can be converted ambulance, a stretcher, stretcher- der, dived below the sinking hull. hours. But machines.

apfer any one of three uses in half table, and a seat for a nurse are Forcing a passage through the tornproaching. side, he made

his

way in the

were

1

ings.

an hour has been put on the mar-substituted for the usual furnish- ket.

A full set of navigational in- rushing waters, and succeeded in A native climbed the almost red-

It is called the Monospar Uni-struments, a landing headlight for opening the safety hatchways on hot pylon, 100 feet high, and kept the roof, through which he helped a light flickering. sufficiently to versal, and has been designed as a night work, cabin engine starters, the passengers to safety.

guide the incoming 'plane, And, passenger plane, but can be easily, and controllable heating and ven- are all included in the with hands scarred by the heat converted into either a freighter or tilation By this time Skipper R. P. from the pylon, at once ascended an air ambulance. When used as a equipment of this novel machine, Mollard and other members of the another pylon to effect a tempor-freighter all that has to be done which will be especially useful in

distances. crew had scrambled to the top of ary light.

is to remove the easily-detachable countries where seats, leaving a space of 80 cubic great.

are

3 ENGLAND IN 5 DAYS?

"Yes! We Are Flying"

By Douglas DC-3

Air Liners.

THREE SERVICES-

WEEKLY.

Dep: SUN; WED; FRI

Singapore at 5.45 am

Penang

at 9.00 am

Bangkok at 1.30 p.m

Through Fares

On Application. Reduction For Govt. Officials & Officers

KLM

ROYAL DUTCH AIR LINES AGENTS: JAVA CHINA JAPAN LINE YORK BUILDING, CHATER ROAD. Phone 28015 (Passage Dept.)

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MONDAY A MAJESTIC