Evening star., 1941-03-31
By A. ID. DUNTON.

LONDON, March 81 CNAN.AD.-
Flying the North Atlantic nonstop
In bomber, I have discovered, can
be as matter of fact as a trip from
Montreal to Toronto, but much
more entertaining.
From the moment saw the great
four-engined plane in which we
were to travel I had complete conf
dence in it. On the ground it looked
little ungainly and out of its
own element, but it gave an i'm
preston of terrific power when in the
air. With its long and slender
wings reaching out to its ll0-foot
span, and its blunt and comparative
ly lean body hung below them, ii
seemed like huge hawk that could
cut endlessly through the air and
soar at will.
The plane was one of the first OF
the new, big, four-engined American
bombers which are to play such a
vital part in carrying the air war
to Germany.
Our leave-taking on the American
the big plane was christened, came
trundling down the hangar and
across the apron. IT was not en-
tirely definite at the moment
whether we were leaving then, or
not, but I thought I might as
well climb in and arrange my things
and then come out and shake hands
and say good-by. Just after 1 got
In, some one closed the door; the
plane began to lurch forward, then
heave, then swing forward again.
We waited for time, hearing the
great noise Of the engines being
warmed up.
No Good by HandShaking.
Suddenly there was a greater roar
as all the engines went on hard.
The plane quivered, then began to
move slowly, then faster. 1t accel-
Grated so quickly that you were
thrust against whatever you were
leaning on. The airdrome markers
passed the windows quicker and
quicker. All at once the plane was
running smoother and smoother,
and you realized it was in the air.
You had started across the Atlantic
and nobody had even shaken any
body's hand good-by.
For a time we watched the air.
drome through the window as we
swung around and up. Then as the
field was finally left behind, I
turned around to see what it looked
like to be on transocean trip.
Our quarters were about feet
long and 5 feet wide. On each side
there were padded seats, which can
fold over to make level floor if this
is desired, and even then there is
plenty of room to stand up. On
sacn side there are small windows
set lev down and in the curved roof.
I looked around the cabin. 1t was
q conglomeration of bits of hand
luggage, of coats and overcoatS and
overshoes and blankets all scattered
about careleSsly. My fellow pasSen-
ger was Jimmie Jimmie is a tall,
lean, long -noSed, black haired high
land Scotsman who is a very i'm
portant person, an expert in certain
air matters, and he has had bril-
liant career in the Royal Air Force.
Bue he hardly looked it then. He
was wearing a crumpled polo coat
and on his head was "habitant,' ,
kind of fur hat with great earflaps
rising up.
His head was buried deep in his
collar, but I could see his bony jaw
going steadily, chewing gum. as he
read "Good-by Mr.. Chips" He had
been doing that ever since entering
the plane and showed not the
slightest sign of interest in taking
of from America
No drama there.
Place Cabin in Order.
forgot to mention our stewardess,
named Dawn" She travelled in a
big long cabin aft of ours, which we
called the conservatory, and she
wore a nice red evening dress as a
nniform. Dawn" was a trifie light
for flying work. Although as tall as
an ordinary girl, she was very thin,
for she was made of cardboard.
Dawn" had been collected from the
radio store.
We were climbing some little time
before Jimmie stretched his arms
and raised up on his bony knees and
said: We'll, 1 suppose 1 had better
elean up this ungodly mess" But
first he climbed into his teddy bear
flying suit, which for him took not
n few cOntOrtions since the outfit
was a little short.
I was wearing a set of wooden
underwear. f1annelette pajamas. a