New Britain herald., 1929-07-13
FRENCH AND POLES ATTEMPT HOP ID
 ROOSEVELT FIELD
Continued From First Page)

Although the two planes headed |. in different directions at the start ! their courses come close together near the Azores when both plan to continue by the same route by way Of Halifax to New York.
 The sensational start of the first transatlantic air race soon became known iii Paris and throughout France. Excitement grew with each successive report of the progress ot the Question Mark as the French machine is known.
 The fact that the Poles had not been heard of was not considered re- The planes light gray colcr would make it hard to distin, suish against a cloudy sky.
 Both Have Wireless
 The Marshal Pilsudslli is equipped with q wireless apparatus for tele- graph and telephone, having a range of about 60 miles. while the Ques- tion Mark has a wireless apparatus for telegraphy having range of tti W ttll oUV anu 6OO lIlItS.
 AS the hours passed and still there were no indications that the rival airmen had turned back, French in terest in the flight grew keener and heen"r. Paris was engaged in pack ing it's picnic basket for Sundays Independence Day holiday and was just beginning 10 realize that it's tavorite native birdmen were over the Atlantic in the first Paris-to- New York air race.
 To make it even more thrilling it was "ealzed8 that the flight, if sue Cessful, would end on the famous July If holiday, the French Fourth of July, known in history as Bas tile Day
 Paris, July 12 UP)-Two huge airplanes roared out of l.e Bourget field in the heavy mists of approach ing dawn today for the first air race ever attempted across the hazardous North Atlantic. from Paris to New York.
 The Marshal Pilsudski, carrying two daring Polish tliers. was the first 10 get away after a perfect take-off at 4:45 q. m. summer time GO:45 ?. m. Friday F.. s. ID The Question Mark. manned by two Frenchmen who braved the ban of the French government against transatlantic flights, took off 42 minutes after wards. at 5:27 a. m. G1:27 ?. m. Friday F. S. ID
 One Plane Reported
 The wireless station at Tours re- ported that plane, presumably the Question Mark. flew over that city at 6:34 a. m, headed toward Bor- deauX.
 A later dispatch from the fishing boat Muette said the boat sighted an airplane resembling the Question | Mark about 30 miles northwest Of 1 Cape Ferret. France.
 The location given by the Muette
 is on an almost straight line between 1 Paris and Santander. Spain whence the Question Mark presumably would , follow the coast 10 Cape Ortegal. re.
 versng the route followed by th' eastbound transatlantic planes Tel low Bird and Pathfinder in recent weeks.
 In the huge Polish plane were
 Louis Idzikowski and Casimir ku- bala. veterans of the World war anC
 aviators of wide experience. They had made an attempt to cross 1h' Atlantic last August, but were forced down.
 Two FrenChmen Aboard
 The Question Mark. smalle'
 plane. which had been secretly pre-
 pared for the flight for the last two
 months. was flown by two o
 Frances best known aNiators. pieu
 donne Costes. who already has
 South Atlantic flight 10 his credit
 and Maurice Bellonte. also celebrat
 ed for his feats of daring and skill
 The Marshal Pilsudski. with al
 advantage in speed and fuel capacly
 got off to smoother start. The blj
 grayish white plane rolled down In runway gracefully, took off perfect ly and in few moments was out 0 sight. The Question Mark require little longer 10 take off. but one in the air it's motors hummed per fectlv and seemed ready for gruel ling flight. II circlrd tn" field befor I starting westward on it's long jout i ney
 l According 10 the French mal"oro , logical bureau the planes Woul
 have favorable winds 10 a"compan i them across the Atlantic, ENc"ller 1 weather prevailed oNer th" WhoI 1 ocean.
 The start of the planes was SlldGe and quite unexpected hniN A le new papermen and photograph were on hand 10 se" the take-ot Rellonte's English wife was @t tf field 10 bid her husband good-hN and 10 give him a parting kiss. What preparations EostoS and h partner had made Wer" for the O! tansible purposc. in view of tf French ban on transatlantic flight of flying 10 Tohio. A few momen before the take-off. however. whe Costes was asked il he really was g' ing to Tollio, he said: No. New York;
 Leaves Letter to Ministry Costes left letter for the a ministry. which had placed the pr' hibition on transocean!c flights, reat ing:
 We are leaving for a prohiblt' destination. We place the respons hilty on no one
 Idzikowski in an interview in before his tak"-off. said he WIS al