New Britain herald., 1927-06-28
Farewells Are Said

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 As the fiiers climbed into the plane they were approached by Major General Mason Patrick, chief of the army air service, who shook hands with them with a warm, lin. gering clasp.
 God bless you, my boys." tho general said to the two fiiers. T know you are going to do it."
 Lieutenant Maitland replied:
 General. you know I'm going to do my best"
 Smiths Good Wishes
 Just as the motors started Ernest L. Smith, pilot of the civilian plane which was expected to follow the army plane into the air within the next few hours, ran in front of the army plane and clasping his hands together. he thrust them over his head and initiated a handshake so that both Lieutenant Maitland and Hegenberger could see him through the window of the pilots cabin.
 Good tuck" Smith shouted at the top of his voice and the friend- ly rivals who were beating him to the takeoft smiled and nodded.
 on in Cloud of Dust
 The plane started down the run- way raising such a great cloud of dust that the spectators could not see the machine.
 The screams of several women could be heard amidst the cheers of the spectators. They feared the huge machine might not leave the ground successfully.
 Seconds that seemed minutes elapsed before the drab colored wings of the army plane were seen to emerge from the cloud of dust.
 They're off. They're in the air!H shouted the crowd and another cheer arose from civilians and army men.
 Overhead. circling and swinging about the field were several army service planes. AS soon as the Folk ker cleared the ground these escort machines strengthened out on a westerly course and fell in formation behind the Fokker as she passed over the San Francisco Bay. heading toward the Golden Gate.
 A fleet of escort planes left the Fokker as she swung out over tho sea at an altitude estimated at g.. 900 feet.
 When Will Smith Go?
 The secondary question was When will Smith leave?"
 All night long mechanics worked on the Smith plane to correct final details. Smith and his navigator. Charles H. Carter of Los Angeles, arrived at the camp shortly before the army plane took off. They said they had four hours sleep during the night and were ready to leave as soon as their plane was pro- nounced complete ill all details.
 An unexpected delay was encoun- tered when Smith found he needed new altimeter. Army cir service officials offered Smith the use of one of their altimeters and plane was dispatched to Crissy Field for the in- Strument.
 The army officials also loaned Smith smoke and flare drop bombs with which he might check his drift during the day and night. Smith declared he hoped to be able to take off sometime during the forenoon.
 Parents See Start.
 Lieutenant Maitlands parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. w. Maitland of Bur. lingame, Calif.. were on the field to witness the takeolr. To them went the final hand wave from the pilot as the plane started rolling along the runway. Neither the father nor the mother would discuss their sons venture after the plane left.
 Smith showed signs Of nervouss ness when 1t was announced the altis meter installed in his plane would not function correctly. His father leA lcontinusd on Page ID