Arizona republican., 1919-07-10
R-34 TAXES AIR
 AT M|DN|CHT IN
 RETURN FLIGHI
Plan to Follow Southern Steamship Course for Greater Part of Trip = Expect to Complete the Cruise in 70 Hours if the Weather Is Favorable
TRepublican A. p. Leased Wlrel


 MINEoLA, N. V, July 1o.-The R-34 flew over Roosevelt Field after her cruise to New York at t:3o a. m. at height of about 2.ooo feet. When last seen she was heading for the open sea.
 MINEOLA, N. Y, July 9.-The Brit ish dirigible R-34 left Roosevelt Field shortly before midnight on her return cruise to Scotland The great ship. held in leash by 1000 American balloon men. was released at 11:55 o'clock. and floated leisurely up to height of 200 feet with her motors silent The motors then began to whirr and the craft, nosing upward, headed for New York city.
 Three great searchlights playing on the ship made her clearly discernible to the thousands who had gathered to bid her bon voyage. With three en- gines-port, starboard and forward running. and two others in reserve, the R-34 glided off toward the south, then swinging in a westerly course bringing her nose in the direction of New York.
 It took the R-34 about three minutes to rise to the height at which she be- gan cruising. At 11:59 she was about 800 feet up. barely discernible and with no lights visible, was skimming along at a speed of about 35 to 10 miles an hour.
 Only Three Engines Used
 Brigadier General Lionel Charlton. British aviation attache in the United chi only the three engines on which she started unless unexpected conditions arose.
 With favorable conditions Major General H. S. Scott, her commander. hopes to make the voyage in 70 hours. sailing over London before proceeding to East Fortune. Scotland, if weather conditions permit.
 The great ship presented a beautiful picture as she drifted up into the sky bathed in the white light of three DOW erful searchlights. Just as she nosed out of Roosevelt Field the moon ap- peared from behind black clouds. partially lighting up the dark field.
 At 12:01 lights along the deck of the dirigible were switched on and the great ship herself appeared a long streak of light swimming in the radi- ance of the searchlights.
 Up to 12:01 the RIA had drifted side ways in the current of a southwest wind. At this hour she nosed into the wind, now sailing at about 900 feet and one minute later disappeared from the vlew of the crowds at Roosevelt field. "Let's Go"
 It was just 11:5O o'clock when bell rang aboard the RIA, signalling that the hour of departure was at hand. An officer on the ground with megaphone yelled: "All clear"
 Major Scott leaning out of the port window, forward. cried least off,
 Favorable weather conditions were reported over the entire route save for one bad spot in mid-Atlantic.
 The big gas bag has been repaired and filled with hydrogen and the en- zines are in excellent condition and ready for instant business. Forty pounds of official mail is slowed aboard, including two gold medals of the Aero Club of America. awarded to Captain Alcock and Lieutenant Brown. who flew the Vickers-V -Vimy bipIane overseas from New Foundland in the first nonstop rans-Atlantic hop
 To Pass Over London
 In a statement to the Associated Press tonight, Major G. H. Scott. com mander of the dirigible. declared he would fly over New York, and if fla vorable winds on the other side offered over London in his homeward journey to East Fortune Scotland
 T am going to follow the line of the southern steamship course" he said, passing over New York before starting overseas. If the present weath- CT conditions continue I expect to make the homeward trip in 70 hours.
 "The only thing I am sorry about is that I have to leave so soon. Unfor- tunately I had only one night in New York and would have liked to have had many more. I'd like to take this op- portunity to say that if any American citizens come to our country l hope I can repay the hospitality they have so lavishly bestowed upon me
 "The climatic conditions over the Atlantic are very bad for flying in ships like the R-34. Although the R-3t has more than justified our hopes. transatlantic flying in the future must be done in larger and faster ships"