The Way of Things
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A).:Great Feat;
IN flying from England to Australia in nineteen days Miss Amy Johnson has accomplished a feat which is indeed unique in the annals of aviation. That after only about one hundred hours flying experience she should have completed this arduous journey, of which the actual particulars are given on another page, speaks volumes for her personal courage, and remarkable quickness in adapting herself to this newest form of transport. Bert Hinkler, whose record of she was attempting to lower, and varied experience, and his f fifteen and a half days was a pilot of great eat showed the possi
bilities of the light plane for such a trip.
Miss Johnson’s feat brings this even more prominently into view, and shows that the modern light plane has been brought to a pitch of reliability unsurpassed in any other form of transport. From this it is clear that, great as the personal triumph of the pilot must be, even more far-reaching must be the effect of her flight on the progress of aviation. It is but a few short years since many aeroplanes were only fit to be flown by very skilled pilots, and their reliability was negligible. Steady development CONTENTS
The Way of Things …
LAND. PAGE
Italy regains the Targa Florio … ••• 6 Racing car development, by Capt. Gordon Aston ••• 9 Sporting cars on the road, The Silver Eagle Alvis 13 Continental Racing News … •■ ■•• .00 ••• 15
Six days in Scotland … … ••• 18
Ellan Vannin … … … ••• 20
Men and Machines in the Island … … ••• 23
Club News … … … 25
A Double Twelve M.G. Midget on the Road … 28 The J.C.C. Double Twelve … .•• ••• 31
Entries for Le Mans .. … ••• 42
The Grand Prix of Algiers … ••• 43 The Development of a Thoroughbred • 94 45
Here and There by ” Camshaft ” ••• … ••• 66
AIR.
A New Trainer …
… 53 Slipstreams
… 55 A 617 Monoplane
… 56 Gliding Gossip and News
… 58 •
WATER. The Sport Afloat
… 60
The B.O.R.C. Return to Hendon …
… 61 Water v. Concrete, by J. Philip Turner
… 62 Racing at the Welsh Harp
… 63 A One-piece Metal Hull
… 64
in the way of ease of handling and reliability have made possible the feat which all the world is still acclaiming. During her flight she met some very difficult weather, and was forced to fly low over the sea, a most unpleasant experience. These are conditions under which reliability must be absolute down to the smallest detail, and had the power of the engine fallen off, even momentarily, had a plug failed, or an oil pipe choked, triumph would have given place to disaster.
It is therefore all the more gratifying that this country supplied not only the gallant pilot, but also her machine, the fuel, oil, and every component used for the flight.
The I.O.M. Tourist Trophy.
THIS month everyone with any interest in the sport of motoring will turn their attention to the scene of the greatest motorcycle race of the year, and all who can, will visit the Isle of Man for the event. It is significant that many of the greatest car drivers to-day first gained their experience on two wheels, and proof of the efficacy of this training is to be found in the fact that Achille Varzi, who has done well in the Island for some years, this year won the coveted Targa Florio.