The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 6, Issue 4 (September 1, 1931.)
Where Westerners Excel
Where Westerners Excel.
The ability of an aeroplane to fly at over 400 miles an hour—and to average nearly 380 miles over several “runs”—without killing its pilot, was demonstrated in the uncontested Schneider Cup flight over the Solent. The deaths, not long before, of two members of Schneider Cup teams—one Englishman and one Italian—had revived the question whether the capacity of the speed machines was beginning to exceed the capacity of man. It was suggested that the Italian, who crashed fatally in an aeroplane, credited with being equal to over 400, had simply lost consciousness, through speed or fumes or both. But the British pilots, Stain-forth and Boothman, who won the Schneider Cup for Britain in the absence of France and Italy, survived in good order, though Boothman needed arm massage. Under the rules, it seems, Britain now wins the Cup outright, but Lady Houston's money may again become instrumental in continuing the competition with the Continent. Her Ladyship doec not believe in aeroplanes rusting or in airmen resting.