Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-03
RUSSIAN FLYERS
OVER PARENTS SEA
IN POLAR-U. S. HOP
Left Moscow at II Pm.
Yesterday on 5000 Mile
Nonstop Flight.
THREE EXPECT TO LAND
AT FRISCO ON MONDAY
Enter Continuous Daylight as
They Approach Roof of World
in Hazardous Journey.

(Copyrisht. 1888. by the Associated Press
MOSCOW, August 3.-The Soviet
trans-polar plane, carrying three
daring airmen on a nonstop flight
across the roof of the world toward
San Francisco, headed out across the
Barents Sea at 2:25 pm. G:25 am
e. S. IT,.
The plane radioed at that time thai
it was heading out over the 1891.
mile stretch of water and polar ict
and into the zone of continuous polal
daylight.
At last reports the plane was aver
aging about ITO miles an hour, con.
siderably above expectations.
Blazing a 6.000-mile trail across thu
top of the world toward California
the fiiers, Pilot Sigmund Levaneffsk!
and his two companions, were ex.
pected to cross the Arctic Circle intc
the zone of continuous polar daylight
by 4:30 pm. (9:30 am, E. S. IT,
At 1904 pm. (5:04 am, E. S. IT,
the great craft signaled that it hac
crossed the Omega River and at 1874
pm. it began its trip over the land
locked white sea.
Take-off Is Perfect.
The plane, U. r. S. S. IS, made q
perfect take-off from the muddy mill
tary air field to start its hazardous
journey.
If Levaneffsky can maintain even
o speed of IS miles per hour-hiS
original estimate-on this side of the
pole he will reach the pole and start
down on the other side of the globe
about $50 am. Sunday Q1:30 pm.
e. S. T. Saturday,.
Weighted down by cargo and fuel
the plane made poor average during
its first few hours. but quickly gained
speed as it approached the water.
Officials said it should clear the
Kola peninsula to start across the
Barents Seattle beginning of 1891
mile stretch of water and Polar ice
by late afternoon.
Thus if the calculations are correct
the freak airship will reach Franz
Josef land about am. Sunday &c
pm. E. S. T. Saturday. BY the time
the flyers have passed over the Pole
the speed is expected to be greatly
increased and the flyers hope to reach
San Francisco on Monday.
If Levaneffsky can average 100 miles
an hour on the American side of the
Pole he can cover the approximately
1850 miles in 2615 hours. Thus if he
crosses the Pole early Sunday (Mos-
COW time) he could reach San Fran
cisco by forenoon Monday.
However, it was pointed out that he
may have to veer from his route,
lengthening his trip.
The flyers are expected to meet
strong contrary winds in the vicinity
of Franz Joseph Land but this was
not regarded as a serious danger.
Their real danger will come when they
near the Pole where ice may form on
the wings.
Levaneffsky and Co-pilot Baidukoff
were taking 'turns at the stick. The
well-heated cabin permitted the air
men to wear ordinary Summer flying
toys but they carried fur clothing for
emergency use.
Bullitt Gives Message.
After the flyers took of Ambassador
William c. Bullitt of the United States
told the Russian press: "As the rep
resentative Of pioneer Nation I sa-
lutte the heroic Levaneffsky who I
hope will blaze a new trail that will
serve to draw together a people of the
United States and the Soviet Nation"
Levaneffsky lifted the plane,
1See TT ,YERS page 81