The Times News

IS HEADED FOR HALFWAY MARK OF WORLD TRIP
13 Hours and Nine Minutes Ahead of the Post-Gatty Time

ROBOT PILOT MAY BE OF NO HELP TO HIM

MOSCOW. July 17.--(UP).- Wiley Post, continuing his swift flight around the world in an attempt to break his and Harold Gatty's record of 1931, took off at 5:15 p. m. today for Novosibirsk, Siberia, almost midway across Siberia and approximately 1,080 miles from here. He stopped at Moscow only three hours while minor adjustments were made on his plane. When he left he was 13 hours and nine minutes ahead of the Post-Gatty record. By FREDERICK OESCHNER United Press Staff Correspondent BERLIN, July 17.-(UP).-* Wiley Post. well started on his projected world solo flight, was delayed last night by a leaking oil line on his monoplane Winnie Mae. The trouble forced him to land at Koeningsberg, East Prussia. The veteran Oklahoma pilot who flew from New York to Berlin in 25 hours. 46 minutes on the first leg of his attempt to girdle the globe in six days, was en route to Novosibirsk. Siberia, when the necessity for repairs forced him down. He assured the United Press in an exclusive telephone interview from the air field at Koeningsberg that nothing serious was the matter with his plane. Post's Oklahoma accent puzzled airdrome officials. who asked the United Press correspondent to interpret his "brand of English" for them. "He speaks a brand of English none of us here understands." the airdrome manager complained quizzically. "I'll be all right." said Post when he reached the phone. "Just let me go to bed." Explaining the trouble which forced him down, Post continued: "I experienced engine trouble between Koeningsberg and Kovno (Lithuania) and decided to return and land at Koeningsberg to have it fixed. It's only a leaking oil line. "I'm going to get some sleep and leave here at daylight." he said. The Oklahoman laughingly rejected the offer of this correspondent to translate his English for airfield officials. "Thanks but I don't need any help." he said. "My trouble is not serious and I can get along with sign language. I'm going to try to catch a little sleep now and plan to get away by about three a. m. (Three a. m. at Koeningsberg would be 10 p. m. in New York). Although his voice seemed to indicate fatigue, Post assured the correspondent he was neither tired nor hungry. "But excuse me now," he broke in, "and I'll get along and attend to my engine." Airdrome officials then returned to the telephone and said Post's start probably would be delayed until 4 a. m. (11 p. m. EDT). They said Post appeared most chagrined at the loss of time. They said their understanding was that the trouble with the Winnie Mae was with the robot pilot, which Post had counted upon to relieve him of much of the strain of flying the world circuit, They said this device was so complicated that repairs there were impossible and that Post might be compelled to fly the rest of his long course without the robot's assistance. Post's flight across the Atlantic was without untoward event, he (Continued on page two) For correct answers to these questions, please turn to page 3,
IS HEADED FOR HALFWAY PAUSE ON TRIP
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over Northwestern Germany, the men while mechanics refilled the gasoline tanks of the Winnie Mae.
The impatient flier at first rejected offers of food and an opportunity to take a shower bath at the field but when he learned that his gasoline would have to be loaded aboard by hand pumps, a tedious process, he decided to refresh himself under a shower.
Meanwhile a bundle of sandwiches and three oranges were placed in the pilot's cockpit of the Winnie Mae.
Post's arrival was witnessed by a small crowd of Lufthansa airplane employees, newspapermen, and spectators.
A band played "Deutschland Uber Alles" and the Star Spangled Banner waved from a staff on the administration building of the field as the white and purple plane glided down to a smooth landing.
Spectators shouted "Heil!" and gave the Nazi salute as Post climbed nimbly from his cockpit.
He did not appear particularly tired, considering the fact that he had just flown the Atlantic.
Colonel Jacob Wuest, U. S. military attache here, stepped forward and greeted Post.
"It is a very fine sensation to be able to greet you," he said, gripping the flier's hand.
"I'm anxious to get my ship gassed and ready to go," Post replied.
The Oklahoman stood somewhat impatiently while photographers snapped his picture. Then he dashed off to arrange refueling of the plane.
Finally mechanics completed the refueling and Post hastily climbed aboard, tested his motor for a few minutes and then swept down the field to take off at 2:11 p. m. (9:11 a. m. EDT) toward Novosibirsk. He had estimated he could reach the Siberian point in 22 hours before he was forced down at Koenigsberg. He had hoped to pick up time by avoiding Moscow, where James Mattern, his unlucky predecessor, paused on his recent attempt at the world record which ended in a crash in Siberian wilds.