About the Comet that they flew there is much to It was built in 1934 for the Australia which it won with Charles Scott and For Campbell Black, setting up a record that has never been beaten.
Since then it has had a waried life.
It was sold to the R.A.F. and has been crashed several times. It was sold as scrap, rebuilt, and has been used for various stunt flights.
Clouston flew it in the Damascus race last year, and took the Cape-and-back records on it with Betty Kirby-Green—another great. flight It has.been rebuilt so much that there is very little of the original machine left In 1934 it was the fastest machine of its type. In.1938/ it is still the only British-built, aeroplane in the country that is suitable for distance record. Our de done nothing since, Ricke that on their way to New Zealand they saw big liners capable of passing them—and they were not British air liners.
As the "Aeroplane" says: "I old aeroplane and the fact that such a shattering performance can be done next stop.
"We'll go along to Cyprus" Clouston said at last. "If we've got to crash we may as well crash on British soil."
"Without another word they headed for the Mediterranean. The engine over the damaged wheel was libra ing badly. They wondered if would stop-when they were over the sea.
"The horror of that flight is past description," Ricketts told me afterwards.
Cyprus came in sight they found Niscosia airport. They came "down to land, mouths dry, hearts thumping. Throttles were shut. Slowly the airport came up. Clouston was fi: fig with all his skill. As the wheels were about to touch he raised one wing. This kept the damaged wheel off the ground. They landed on the sound wheel.
Stil with the wing up, travelling at more than 90 m.p.h.—a speed that could have smashed them—Clouston jammed on the brakes, and a smash remember meant certain death by fire.
On one wheel the aeroplane skidded across the airport. Gradually it lost speed. As the speed.'Slackened Clouston allowed the ma-flattering coiffures Your hair can' have all the natural lite and sparkle and waviness with an ANTOINES PERMANENT—and make a very flattering coiffure. Undetectable hair colouring. Most comfortable salon. Phone for appointment.
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