The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-08-01
SPANISH ACES
HEAD FOR U. 5.
! ON GLOBE HOP
Commander Franco Braves
Atlantic Second Time;
Four in Crew.
NEWFOUNDLAND is GOAL
Crowds See Four-Motored
Amphibian Start on
: Great Adventure.
NEWFOUNDLAND is GOAL
Ry United Press


CADIz, Spain, Aug. Com
211ander Ramon Franco challenged
the Atlantic for the second time to-
day as he piloted his four -motored
Dornier seaplane into the air on an
ambitious around-the-world project.
The Spanish air adventurer
headed for North America via the
Azores and expected to land either
at Halifax or at Placentia, N. F.
The start of this ambitious trans
Atlantic and globe-circling flight
was made at 2:15 a. m. E. S. T.
Through the night Franco and his
companions had been making last
minute adjustments and loading
aboard supplies.
They had been advised that
weather conditions were good across
the Atlantic and that everything
was propitious for their start this
morning. Franco then decided he
would start as near a. m. as
possible.
Four Men in Crew
Commander Franco was accom-
panied by Capt. Raiz De Aida, Cap
tain Gallarz and Mechanic Pablo
Rada.
There was a great crowd at the
shore as the four aviators shortly
before 5 a. m. started for their craft.
Out in the bay the Numa:-cia
rode easily on the chHppy waters
while all about it were small boats,
most of them filled with aviation
enthusiasts. A gasoline boat, tanker
for the plane, stood close by the big
Dornier after the tanks of the
around -the-world craft had been
filled for the take-off.
Franco and his aids went to their
craft early and through the dim
morning light, lightness aided by
the powerful searchlights from the
nearby airport, could be seen crawl
ing about the seaplarle.
First Take Of Fails
Then at Sis a. m. the four
powerful motors were started,
warming up for the fight to the
Azores. Boats sent up skyrockets
and the crowd cheered loudly.
After the motors had warmed up
about thirty minutes Franco gave
the signal and the craft roared
down the bay. The run was about
a mile, but the Numancia would
not lift from the water and Franco
ordered the craft returned. The
crowd was silent. The luggage was
shifted in the plane, few repairs
were made, and then Franco started
again.
This time the craft roared, wob-
bled some, and then climbed into
the sky and headed out toward the
Azores.
The complete itinerary:
Cadiz to the Azores, thence to
Halifax or Placentia; New York,
Havana, Vera Cruz, La Paz, Bolivia,
southern California, San Francisco,
Prince Rupert, Nnalaska; Paramu-
shir, TokioA Kagoshima, Manila,
Port Victoria, Colombo, Bombay
Bushire, Alexandretta, Palermo and
finally to Alcazares, Spain.
The Numancia will make the trip
by easy stages, but after the craft
leaves the western part of the
United States it will have hazard
Gus flying conditions over almost
unknown air trails.
Made Brazil Flight
Franco expressed the greatest con-
f1dence in his giant craft being able
to pull through the entire voyage.
He had personally made out the
itinerary and had worked with Dor
nier officials in completing the craft
in which he is attempting the mon
ster air program.
Commander Franco already has
made one successful challenge of
the elements over the Atlantic.
On Jan. %, 1926, he piloted a
Dornier-Wal seaplane from Palos De
Moguer, Spain, to Pernambuco,
Brazil.
His chief aid on that flight, as
on the one started today, was Capt.
Ruiz De Aida. Pablo Rada was
his mechanic, then as now. On the
first fight, however, he was accom-
panied by Captain Duran as the
second pilot, instead of Captain
Gallarza, who was in the cabin Of
the plane this morning.
Naphtha Still Stolen