Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-28

Army officers at the airport. and
those who flew in escort formation
behind the ocean flyer, however, de-
clared that the Fokker attained a
ground speed If about 100 miles an
hour, and as it passed over Golden
Gate it was travelling at least 140
miles an hour. The five D-H planes
sent up to accompany the Fokker to
the Golden Gate were left far behind,
and by the time they reached the en-
trance to the bay the Fokker was
we'll out over the sea.
The take-off was perfect, though
only those persons who were sta.
toned near the end of the 7,020-foot
runway saw the Fokker leave the
ground, because the heavy clouds OF
dust stirred up by its propeller and
wheels completely hid the plane.
The plane climbed rapidly from the
field, and by the time it reached the
Golden Gate it was 1000 feet high.
The steamer Matsonia, coming in
from Honolulu, the destination of the
airplane,s blew its whistle in one long
blast. bidding the aviators good-by.
= Gen. Patrick Says GoOd-by.
AS the flyers climbed into the plane
they were approached by Maj. Gen.
Air Service, who shook hands with
them with warm. lingering clasp.
God bless you, my boys" the gen.
eral said to the two flyers. IL know
you are going to do it,
Lieut.. Maitland replied:
General, you know I'm going to do
my best"
Then he and Hegenberger waved to
the crowds and climbed into their
plane.
Just as the motors started Smith
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 Lieut.. Matt
land and Hegenberger could see him
through the window Of the pilots
cabin.
Good luck" Smith shouted at the
top of his voice and the friendly rivals
who were beating him to the take-off
smiled and nodded.
Raises 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,
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 Fokkel
cleared the ground these escort ma
chimes Strengthened out on westerly
course and fell in formation behind
the Fokker as she passed over the
San Francisco Bay, heading toward
the Galden Gate.
A feet of escort planes left the FOX
ker as she swung out over the sea a
an altitude estimated at 1000 feet.
Smith Take-Off Delayed.
The secondary question was "Whei
will Smith leave?" -.
All night long mechanics worked ol
the Smith plane to correct f1nal de
tails. Smith and his navigator
Charles IL. Carter of Los Angeles, al
rived at the camp shortly before tn
Army plane took off. They said the.
had enjoyed four hours sleep durin
the night and were ready to leave
soon as their plane was pronounce
complete in all details.
An unexpected delay was encour
tered when Smith found he needed
new altimeter Army service official
offered Smith the use of one OF thei
altimeters and plane was dispatche
to Crissy Field for the instrument.
The Army officials also loaned Smit
AaRQks aas faEa agQp bombs NA