Evening star., 1927-09-16
Veteran Flyer Accompanied
by Commandant Fitzmau-
{ rice, Another War Hero.
CROWD CHEERS AVIAT0RS
AS PLANE SCARS AWAY
Daring Pilots Pin Hopes on "Prin'
cess Xenia," Fokker-Built
Machine.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
BELFAST, September 16.-The
plane Princess Xenia passed over
Galway Bay at $3.50 pm. going
, steadily. Galway Bay is approxi-
mately 115 miles west OF Dublin
By the Associated Press.
HALIFAX. September 16.-The
weather today was fair for Capt.
MacIntosh's flight, with a north
west wind blowing at rate OF ~
knots an hour. Reports from st.
John, New Brunswick, gave con-
ditions as clear, with 14-milean-
hour wind.
By the Associated Press.
DUBLIN, September 16.-Capt.
Robert II. Macintosh and Command
ant James c. Fitzmaurice, war prod
ucts of aviation, this afternoon set
out in a daring effort to make a peace
record in the air. They hoped Off this
afternoon for New York on trail
that has never been followed to its
Western end.
The two pilots, who fought in the
air during the World War and have
flown steadily since, were confident
that they would be able to meet the
challenge Of the Atlantic which claim
ed Nungesser and Coli, the French oc-
cupants of the White Bird, and the
st. Raphael. carrying Princess Lowen-
stein -Wertheim, Capt. Hamilton and
Col. Minchin.
Confident of Success.
"I have every confidence in the sue
cess of our attempt" said Capt. Mac
Intosh as they finished their final
preparations to hop off. I'VE have
made every possible test Of our ma
chine and the weather report is bet
ter than we have had in long time
and as good as we can expect. There's
q north wind off the Irish coast and
q slight head wind beyond"
The flyers were in danger OF being
mobbed by admirers, who crowded
about them and their plane to deluge
pluck and perseverance and oest
wishes for success on their daring
venture.
Finally, Fitzmaurice. breaking away
from the friendly crowd, turned to
Macintosh, saying:
Come on, Mac, let's get on this ma
chine and get bit Of peace.
CheeHd by Crowd.
Fftzmaurice embraced his wife and
little daughter and they stood by to
wave their handkerchiefs as he en-
tered the plane. :,
The crowd cheered Justify with loud
cries of good luck" as the Princess
xenia, named for the Russian wife
of an American millionaire, gracefully
took the air, after running 500 yards
across the Baldonnel Field. Airmen
said the take-off could not have been
improved upon, the plane. despite its
720 gallons Of petrol. rising without
difficulty.
Fitful CLEANS Of sunshine fell on
the blue tuselage and brown wing OF
the Fokker monoplane as 1t sped
away, the crowd remaining to cheer
in an enthusiasm that could no longer
be communicated to the airmen.
Macintosh and Fitzmaurice said
that they expected to reach America
in 26 to 80 hours. They carried no
radio equipment to record their prog
ress, but took a rubber boat with two
paddles on board and believe that they
can leave their craft in this boat If
they are forced down.
Protest Against Flight.
Last preparations to start the long
flight were made in a storm of pro.
test raised against transatlantic flying.
Macintosh steadily adhered to his
original design, declaring suggestions
OF legislation against such flights were
foolish. He declared that he did not
consider that he was taking more
than ordinary chances.
II am not going to throw away my
life on anything which I do not think
Is feasible" he said. I'VE are just
out to do a job of aerial develop
ment and expansion.
1--WE have been at sea four and a
half years and done Is months over
the Atlantic and know the kind of
weather We are likely to meet there.
This will help tremendously"
The plane Is the same type used
in the passenger service between
London and Amsterdam. 1t is
equipped with Bristol-Jupiter en-
gine of 500 horsepower. Distinguish
ing marks on the plane are its name
Princess Xenia and the letters
"Gebts," the license marking. 1t has
o wing spread of 60 feet and meas
..res so feet from the propeller to
the tail.
Changes i'm Personnel.
Capt. Macintosh prepared for the
flight for more than two months
The plane was flown from the Fokkel
works in Holland to Bristol in the
middle of July and adjustments t
the rudder were made there before thu
air ministry would issue a certificate
of airworthiness. The Princess Xenis
few on to Baldonnel September I
and has since been awaiting favor
able weather.
Several changes have been made
In flight personnel since the projec
has been under way. Original plans
called for Capt. A. ]. Barnes to 81
along as passenger and Capt
Anthony Wreford as co-pilot. Barne
was eliminated because the equivalen
of his weight was needed for petrol
Next Wreford decided to Withdraw
because an injury to his knee woul'
not permit him to keep his foot f1rml.
enough on the rudder to control tn
heavy machine. Commandant Fitz
maurice then came from the Fre'
State air force to complete the crew
Sees Good Luck In Black Cat.
The plane carried a heavy load. In
cluding 720 gallons Of gasoline.
Just prior to taking off, Capt. Mac
Intosh saw a black cat, which he pick
ed I'D, remarking: This is certainly
an omen of good luck"
The plane carries good supply o.
food and water.
rep< MacTpfCsh ann0unced that h<