SPECIAL to THE "nen London, July 16.
Weather permitting, the "Mercury," four-engined "pick-a-back" seaplane, will fly the Atlantic from Foynes, Ireland, to Canada and the United States on July 20, carrying half a ton of freight consisting of news reels, photographs and newspapers dealing with the Royal visit to. Paris.
The Mercury's ultimate destination is New York, which will be reached via Botwood and Montreal. The flight will begin at night, and the pilot will be a member of the regular Imperial Airways. staff.
The Mercury is the upper component of the Short-Mayo composite aircraft, which some time ago com-"pleted. tests of airworthiness at Felixstowe, including a separation of the two components fully loaded in mid-air.
The Mercury has been fitted with four new engines, more suited to an Atlantic flight than the present ones, in preparation for her crossing.
The Mayo, the lower component, which is practically identical with an Empire flying boat, has only to return to its base after lifting the Mercury, heavily overloaded with petrol for 3,500 miles, up to a height at which it can proceed on its own
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.