The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-02-06

machine, a De Haviland Moth. On
that date his log carries the Ia
comic line: "Hit a ridge landing"
Later that same day, with Flight
Lieut.. Don at the controls, he flew
the Channel.
4 WEEK later the Prince flew
n back across the Channel.
Then he added a second Moth to
his stable. He was knee.deep in
flying now. Tales of how he
was flying his own plane and how
he was quickly becoming an ex-
pert pilot were circulated.
These reports had about as
much truth to them as most of
the rumors about the Prince
and his various activities and do
ings. He has never really become
a pilot.
With dual controls in most of
his ships, he would now and again
take over the "joy stick" but
after his first enthusiasm for the
air he gave up any idea of really
being his own pilot.
During 1880 and 81 the Prince
had many memorable flights. In
the rough country on his second
big game hunt in East Africa he
flew over hundreds of square
miles that had never before heard
the roar of an airplane engine.
On his last trip to South Amer
lea he took along his own private
Moth and his new pilot, Flight
Lieutenant Fielden, who still acts
as his private pilot.
Here in the Argentine he made
any number of flights, ending with
his landing on the deck of the air
carrier, H. M. S. Eagle, and then
taking off again for the airdrome
in Rio harbor.
TN maneuvers of the British
l. Mediterranean Fleet, the Prince
left the great uper-dreadnought,
Queen Elizabeth, and boarded the
plane carrier Glorious.
Eighteen giant bombing planes
took off and the Prince joined
the air squadron in a Fairey III
F machine. Prince George, soon
to be married, followed in a Sec
ond machine. Soon IS planes were
in the mimic air war.
Suddenly, a heavy fog rolled in,
apparently from nowhere. The
Prince of Wales did not hesitate
one second. With the fog fold
ing down on the giant air car
rier, his pilot drove his plane to
the steel deck. He had not a Sec
ond to spare. He got home.
Above the fog were the re-
naming 81 planes, including the
one carrying Prince George.
At once the air carrier got
under way, feeling its way through
the fog, searching for some clear
space in the sea. It's lights were
on and its fog-horn going. Above
could be heard the drone of the
planes-lost.
A half-hour clicked slowly by.
The supply of gas in some of the
planes was about exhausted. For
tunately, Prince Georges plane
still had two hours supply.
Then a break came in the
heavy gray air. Georges machine
pointed for the deck. A moment
later he had landed.
THAT night in his cabin the
L Prince asked the newspaper
men to go as easy on the story as
they could. 81 don't want to
frighten my father" he said quite
simply and honestly.
The men argued that if they
took the danger and alarm from
their stories there would be little
left.
"All right" the Prince decided,
write your stories and I'll act as
censor myself
An hour later he read them
carefully. Then he grinned and
handed them back unmarked.
GO ahead" he announced.
They're too good for me to
spoil"
The King has number of pri-
vate planes. Among his favorites
is a De Haviland Dragon, with a
cruising speed of 108 miles and a
top speed of 100. 1t has two
engines on the lower wings, on
each side of the fuselage.
The cabin is 10 feet long, 5 feet
high and decorated with red
leather, and padded and sound
proof. Smoking is permitted. In
a rear compartment is the
Princes folding typewriter, and a,
gramophone and number of
favorite records.
1t is painted red and blue, the
colors of the Household Brigade
Flying Club.
In the past he used these prac-
tical machines just as many bust
ness men use their motor cars.
He is fully sold on air travel,
but he has lost all interest in ever
becoming an expert pilot.
The same thing is true in re-
gard to driving his own motor
cars. There was time, some few
years ago, when ne took a keen
delight in slipping in behind the
wheel and driving. But today he
is content to let his private pilot
or his chauffeur take the respon-
sibility of getting him safely to
his destination.
TOMORROW: Transformation
of a big game hunter into ruler
face to face with a wounded
lion a crisis halts the safari
an ailing monarch greets his
son using his fortune TO
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