Evening star., 1927-11-06
FLIGHT Of HE|NKEL
PLANE DESCRIBED
Propeller Smashed on Way
to Azores, Comdr.
MerZ Announces.
RY HORST MERZ.

Commander Heinkel seaplane D-f2@0.
Bs Gable 10 The Star md the North Ainer.
can Newspaper Alliance
HORTA, Azores Islands, November
Swell, here. we are at last at the
real iumping-off place for our flight TO
New York after weary days OF walt
ing for the weather to give US the
chance to fly from Lisbon here.
Yesterday morning we caught the
right combination-gOod weather re-
ports from the weather bureau at
Horta and an equally good one from
the weather bureau at Lisbon. SO
at CPL we were off, with eaSterly
winds TO aid us and the visibility very
good.
We got into radio communication at
once with the station at MontSanto.
Next we picked up the steamer GUtlIa
and she gave us our position from
distance of rs nautical miles south
west Of Lisbon. MontsantO had broad
cast the report that we We're bound
FOR Madeira and some minutes Of
radioing were necessary TO correct this
report. which might seriously have
interfered with our radio navigation.
e. Mail Steamer Sighted.
After some further flying we
sighted the Royal Mail steamer
Deseado. which offered to relay radio
messages for MS. Leaving her be-
hind we headed straight for Ponto
Deigada. the shortest route, intend
ing to take our bearing from there
TO Horta.
The shifting winds made US alter
that plan. To get a helpful wind
behind us. we shifted northward. At
10 o'clock we sighted two French
steamers, but were unable to get an
answer to our radio calls 10 them.
Then the weather changed; the winds
shifted and blew now stronger, now
easier.
The weather grew SO gusiy we
were forced TO reel in our radio
antenna and fly within few feet of
the water where the air was quieter.
The sea roughened and the wind
shifted from side to side, at times
striking us head on.
At 1890 we passed an English
steamer and asked for our position.
She gave il TO US as 40 degrees and
- minutes north and "a degrees and
minutes west.
Propeller Blade Smashed
: During this flight we smashed the
propeller blade of the radio gener-
flight. Once back into communica-
ton We raised the German Hapag
steamer Rugia, which relayed our
message for us and otherwise aided
US in keeping 10 our course.
We got hearings by radio from
Ponta Delgada. weather reports indi-
eating strong winds at Horta. At five
minutes past . we got our first
glimpse Of Terceira. to the left ahead.
We flew around 1t taking southerly
direction. We passed between San
Jorge and Pico Islands in the direc-
tion of Horta and FayaL
From our position now we could see
great masses Of people as well as
moto" launches waiting to receive us
III Horta. We flew around the en-
trance of the harhor twice. landing
perfectly at 2:10 O'Clock Horta time.
Received With Enthusiasm.
The 'miltary governor and the
people received us with great enthu-
stasfn. The German colony outdid it
2elf being hospitable 30 us
The Packard engine behaved to our
entire satisfaction. All of US are well
ard in high spirits We few the
J .006 miles in 3 hours and Is minutes
IT an average speed Of 1e0 miles an
hour.
are now ready to take-off for
America. as soon as the weather per-
mits. probably in company with our
companions Of the D-I23o. We hope
then 70 be in communication with
America during the entire time
through radio bulletins sent TO The
Star and the North American News
paper Alliance
Copyright. 1927 in all countries hv North
American Newzpaper Alliance.