Evening star., 1924-06-24
MAUGHAN SPANS u. S.
IN 22-HOUR FLIGHT
Dawn-to-D Plane Trip Success.
Flyer Worn, Haggard, But
Happy at Finish.
GIGH WINDS HAMPER PLANE
Average Speed Is $50 Miles an
Hour-Gets Mighty Ovation.


SAN FRANCISCO, June 24.-Lieut
Russell l.. Maughan wrote new and
spectacular chapter in the history of
mans conquest of the air yesterday
when he spanned the North Ameri-
can continent in less than a day.
The hazardous and grueling flight
was his third attempt. He left
Mitchell Field, N. Y. at 2:5912 am
eastern standard time). halted
briefly at Ave refueling stations en-
route across mountains and plains.
fought fatigue and constantly recur-
ring nausea for 81 hours Al minutes
As seconds and arrived at Crissy
Field, San Francisco, at 9:47:15
o'clock CPacific time) last night.
Worn and nervous from his long
and bitter struggle with the perils of
the air and the illness which had
gripped him, the courageous trail
blazer was engulfed in cheering,
wildly excited mass of humanity.
which extended to him an almost un-
paralleled ovation upon his arrival.
Arrives Tired But Happy.
Gee, but it's good TO be here" he
said as jubliant comrades of the air
service lifted him bodily from the
cockpit of his plane. Il am tired, but
happy"
The ostentatious reception was in
sharp contrast to the lonely, single
handed battle which the airran
waged throughout the day in his race
with the sun.
Lieut.. Vaughan scared away from
Mitchell Field in the waning light of
a half moon, uniaunted by prospects
Of none too favorable weather,
loud-f1ected sky and ,i,,.s the sno"ledse
From the start he encountered
rough weather. but surmounted all
difficulties as he drove his powerful
P-W-S Army pursuit plane with the
sun.
Makes Perfect Landing.
Darkness enshrouded San Francisco
Bay as Lieut. Maughan appeared. The
drone OF his motor came to the ears
of the waiting thousands, and they
broke into prolonged cheering. Ihe
flyer circled the field twice, his plane
blotted from view part OF the time
nv a light mist. Then he shot down
ward and TAXED almost to the door
of Army headquarters in a perfect
landing.
The belt buckle Of the world had
been pulled up a few more notches.
Lieut.. Maughan was borne away to
Army Headquarters amid deafening
ovation. There he recounted briefly
the story of his difficult voyage and
received a shower of congratula-
tions, including a message from Maj.
Gen. Patrick, chief of the air serv-
ice.
Ate Nothing All Day.
He declared that he had been i'll
two or three dozen times during the
sea-to-sea dash. He said he had
eaten nothing since breakfast--in
New york. Supper he ate in San
Francisco.
Lieut.. Maughan few at an average
speed of approximately $50 miles
hour. he said, making less than that
above 1000 feet and more al or un-
der that height.
II was mighty glad to see the
lights of Crissy Field" he comment
quickly picked them up again.
Il bucked head winds for two
thirds of the way and the rest of the
way 1 bucked a heavy cross wind"
Machine in Perfect Shape.
His plane, he explained, was of
type now being tried out by the air
service. differing only in that ad-
justments were made enabling him to
carry eighty gallons more of gaso-
line. The machine, a s75-horse-pow-
er single-seater, appeared to be in
perfect mechanical condition when
he arrived. 1t is of nearly the same
type as that in which he made his
two previous attempts to span the
continent in a day. On the first
fight, July 10. 1928, small motor
ailment midway across the country
forced abandonment of the fight.
Ten days later he tried again, but at
Rock Springs, Wyo., was forced
down by an oil leak.
Lieut.. Maughan went to the home
of Lieut.. Col William E. Gilmore, in
charge of the air force at Crissy
Field. where he will be a guest sew
eral days.