The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-08
FLIERS READY
FOR FIRST '28
ATLANTIC HOP
British Ace, HeireSs Keep
Plans Secret for Trip
Westward.
USE AMERICAN PLANE
Captain HinchIiffe and Elsie
MaCkay Await Good
Weather.
BIZ limited Press

By United Press
CRANWELL AIRDROME, Eng,
March "a winged Ameri-
can made monoplane was ready to-
day for the first attempt of 1928 at
a transatlantic hight-an attempt
to be made by a titled British
heiresS and a war veteran.
The Hon. Elsie Mackay, third
daughter of the millionaire Lord
Inchcape, and Capt. w. r.
Hinchliffe are ready TO take off for
Newfoundland.
They will fly Stinson monoplane,
Adventure, made in Detroit, Mich,
and shipped here several weeks ago.
Take-Off Time in Doubt
Cranwell flying field officials told
the United Press today that the
exact hour of the start is indefinite.
Hinchliffe today went on a hurried
trip to London.
The two do not plan to start, 1t
was said, until they receive favorable
reports of weather off the New
foundland coast.
The greatest secrecy has been
maintained in preparations for the
flight, and it was not until last night
that plans for the Atlantic
test became known. Miss Mackay
and Hinchcliffe have been residing
near the Cranwell Airdrome, await
ing completion Of their plane and
favorable weather reports before
starting on the great air adventure.
Head First for Ireland
Hinchcliffe, who at one time was
selected as pilot of Charles A.
Levine's monoplane for an attempt
at a westward crossing of the At
lantic, planned to fly direct to Bal
donnel, on the east coast Of Ire
land, thence in a direct line to
Newfoundland.
The monoplane the two will use
is similar in detail to that which
was used in the around d-the-world
fight of Brock-Schlee, the Ameri-
cans, who attempted to establish
new record for a fast world tour.
The plane was brought from
America in January on the liner
Aquitania.
Christen Plane Adventure"
1t has been conditioned at the air
drome here. The wings have been
painted a golden hue while on the
fuselage is printed the name "Ad-
venture" A Union Jack was painted
underneath the name.
Extra gasoline tanks have been
installed in the wings, while alumi-
mum tins for an additional supply
have been installed in the fuselage.
In event the plane Is forced to land
at sea the extra gasoline tins may
be emptied in two minutes and thus
provide a buoyancey to keep the
machine afloat.
The vessel at full load will have
a cruising speed Of ninety miles an
hour.
The two who will attempt this
westward crossing are a picturesque
couple.
Girl Also a Pilot
Miss Mackay, whose father is one
OF England's great ship owners, has
had an adventurous and accom-
plished life. She is short, dark and
extremely attractive.
She was one Of the first women
in England to obtain a pilots GER
tificate and has had many hours
in the air as a solo" pilot. She
has been prominent on the stage
and in the films, and in addition
is an accomplished horsewoman.
She has studied interior decora-
ton, and only recently completed
for her fathers liners.
She was married to the actor, Den
mis- Wyndham, in 1917, but this
was annulled In 1922.
Hinchliffe is one of England's
prominent pilots. He served In the
air force in the World War and
lost one eye during an engagement.
Since the war he has been in COM
mercial aviation and at present is
one of the famous pilots for the
Imperial AirwayS, Ltd.
He was retained by Levine to fly
the Columbia last summer, but this
flight was Cancelled, owing to bad
weather. Then he attempted long
distance fight to the Far East,
which failed when he crashed near