Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-03-29
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only a ship and dog slcds were en-
ployed.
1t is upon his airplanes-tNo in
number-that Amundsen pins his
!, chief hopes and it was upon one OF
them that he focused his attention
as soon as he stepped ashore today.
Hardly had be landed than he has
tened to a conference with John NJ.
Larsen, a governor of the Acronau-
teal Chamber of Commerce of Amer
lea. After luncheon came the an
ouncement that the larger of the
two planes selected by the explorer
would be the all metal Larsen mon
oplane which on December 20, flying
over Mineola. l.. l., in circles estab-
lshed a worlds record for continuous
flying of &c hours, 10 minutes and 50
seconds.
The plane. Captain Amundsnn ex-
planned, was being supplied by Mr.
Larsen at his own expense and the
contribution which the airpane man
ufacturer would make to the eXpedi-
ton would represent about $4,000. The
plane has been thoroughly renovated
and test flights will be made from
Central Park. Long Island, beginning
next Thursday.
Amundsen is confident that the mono
planc--the eyes of his vessel Maudc-
will be able to do its work we'll. per-
hitting great sallies to either side Of
the vessel and sending warnings Of ice
fields and dangerous currents that
should be avoided.
The plane already has tried it's
wings in temperature 40 degrees be-
low zero. Last year Mr.. Larsen made
a G000mile trip in the ship from New
York to the Arctice Circle, by way of
Edmonton. Alberta. and the Peace riv-
or. and reported that the plane handled
as we'll as if she vas being flown in
the balmy airs OF Florida. Amundsen
said today he expected to encounter q
temperature lower than that in which
the plane already has been tested.
Resides the monoplane. AmunGscn
will take on an Avro scout plane. a
smaller British ship. which will be
used only in the vicinity of tho Maudc.
Tho monoplanc with cabin in which
II ptiSoiS nave Dten carried, NIit De
self-supporting. She is so equipped
that she can carry large stocks OF fuel
and provisions. and TO her can Da adj
justcd skis. wheels or pontoons. 50 that
She can land on any surface. She has
been thoroughly renovated. With her
aid, Amundscn believes he can Chart
a c00-milc- wide coarGe across the top
of the earth.
After his conference with Mr. Lar
sen. Captain Amundsen and Lieu, erant
Oscar Omdel of the Norwegian naval
air force. who arrived today with the
explorer, took up the question of test
ing the monoplane at Central I'ark
Omdel, who will pilot the ship. is an
expert mechanic and since he will have
10 look after the plane himself. he
plans to begin Immediately fam;liariz-
ing himself with it.
Amundsen had not decided tonight
whether he would carry out his plan
OF flying from New York to Seattle in
the plane. Acronautical experts have
tried to convince him that such n trip
would put an unnecessary strain on a
ship that has so much flying before
her in the next few years.
: The explorer plans to leave for
Washington in about week for con-
fercnces there with government Off
Gals and scientific authorities and
then will proceed to Seattle, where the
Maude is to be drydocked April 5.
One of the objects of Captain |
Amundsen's visit to Washington is TO |
arrangements for wireless re- |
lays.
His radio plan at present consists Of |
flashing reports from airplanes 20 the |
mother ship. which Is equipped with !
apparatus of 1000 miles |
radius. The ship then will communi-