The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1930-01-10
SLEET DELAYS
PLANES START
ICE-COATED WINGS HOLD
filters INDEFINITELY
AT FIELD

The fleet of % Army airplanes
which was to leave Selfridge
Field, Mt. Clemens, Mich, We'd
nesday morning and pass here
Friday forenoon, encountered some
handicaps of winter flying in the
form of sleet right at the start.
The 18 small pursuit planes and
three large transport planes were
to make a flight to Spokane and
return to test the practicability
of winter flight in this latitude.
They expected to fly to Duluth
Wednesday, to Minot Thursday
and to Great Falls by way of
Wolf Point, Glasgow and Havre,
Friday.
John F. Cook, president of the
Wolf Point Always wrote to Ma
jor Royce who is in command of
the fleet, offering the use of the
Wolf Point field in case weather
conditions should make landing
necessary. Good hotel accomoda-
tions and hospitable entertain
ment for the crews were assured.
Mr.. Cook received a reply from
Major Royce by wire saying:
Present plans do not include
Wolf Point. Am glad to get in
formation of your field. Will
bring ships over your city during
the flight and will bear in mind
your invitation if forced to change
plans on account of weather"
Royce, MtClemens, Michigan.
News of the fleet found in
Thursdays dailies said:
Selfridge Field, Mt. Clemens,
Mich, Jan 8.-An overnight rain
storm that covered the planes
with ice caused a postponement
today of the army's midwinter
test flight from Selfridge Field
to Spokane and return.
After inspecting the % planes
set on the ice Of Lake st. Clair
for the takeoff, Major Ralph
Royce, flight commander, ordered
them brought back to the field
here to be thawed out.
All of the planes were poised
on the ice of Lake st. Clair this
morning, each equipped with skis
as landing gear. A tri-mc- red
cabin monoplane carrying radio
equipment for the flight went
through the ice last night into
five feet of water. 1t was pulled
out, however.
The Fl planes, IS pursuit and
three transport ships originally
scheduled to make the flight,
were augmented this morning by
the arrival of Lieut.. e. E. White
head from the army field at
Dayton, Ohio, with instructions to
accompany the participants in an
observation plane.
Major Royce did not set any
definite time for the take-off.
1.-THE coating of ice on the
planes is SO heavy he said, :
that it is impossible to fly them +.
in their present condition even
if weather conditions permitted ,
us to take-off, which they don't" :
Wednesday Night Statement :
Mount Clemens, Mich, Jan. s. :
Army officers at Selfridge Field
Wednesday night were hopeful ,
that the % planes which will :
participate in the winter test :
flight to Spokane and return will ;,
be able to take off from the ice !.
of Lake St. Clair Thursday morn ::
ing. 6
The heavy coats of ice which :
prevented the flight from starting !,
morning vas beaten :,
off the planes during the after !,
loon, and the engines of all of =
them were run and found in good -
condition. a
If conditions are favorable, the =
will be at about 1880 a. :
n. with Duluth as the first night :
stop enroute. !,
Possibly Saturday =
IF the fleet was able to make !
he start Thursday morning and V
with fair weather and good :
uck they should pass here Sat :.
lrday forenoon. Or, if the start :.
s DELAYED until later they should g
pass here the forenoon of the
bird day out.