Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Monday 2 July 1928, page 12


WIDGEON n, . . ,

ROUND AUSTRALIA FLIGHT. COMMANDER'S IMPRESSIONS.

"Quite uneventful, but, very valuable from more than one point of view," was FlightCommander Wackett's summing up of his flight round Australia in Widgeon II.

Flight-Commander Wackett's flying boat waa,sighted at Mascot at 2.30 p.m. yesterday, and a perfect landing had been made five minutes later. Accompanying him was Fly-

ing Officer Owen.

"I Joined the four British supermarine fly-ing boats at Broome, after I had found it impossible to make the flight to Singapore," said Flight-Commander Wackett. "I bave discovered certain minor faults in the Wid-geon, but full marks must go to the engine, which behaved oxcellently. The only replace-ments in 7000 miles of flying bave been two valve springs, worth about 3/. All the way we have averaged 100 miles an hour cruising speed. We left Melbourne at 8.30 this morn-

ing."

Questioned as to the practical results of his flight. In company with the British airmen, Flight-Commander Wackett said that careful observations had been made of possible land-ing places and of sites for aerodromes.

"This flight," he continued, "has taught me more about my own country than I had ever guessed before. 'See Australia First' ought to bo the slogan of every Australian, for I am satisfied that most of us have only the vaguest idea of the vast possibilities of our continent, not merely from the point ot view of an aviator, but from that of the pastoralist and the agriculturist."