TOA Solent Crashes at

Malta Sydney-Port Moresby Service Is Delayed

rRANS OCEANIC AIRWAYS, who have been planning the establishment of a new flying-boat service between >ydney and Port Moresby, had the mis ortune, on January 29, to lose their new Solent flying-boat while it was being erried out to Australia.

The Solent was intended for use in the iew service which was to begin this tionth. (See January PIM.) The flying-boat, piloted by Captain Srian Monkton, crashed just south of lalta, shortly after take-off. It was

arrying 39 passengers—French building

workers who were going to a special onstruction job in Australia. All but ne, who is presumably drowned, were icked up by RAF launch. The crew scaped.

The plane sank in deep water.

Vhether it is salvaged or not is a matter Dr the insurance company concerned The TOA crew have now returned to he United Kingdom, where Short brothers are converting another Solent to 'OA specifications. It is hoped to fly this ircraft out to Australia in March, and d start the Sydney-Port Moresby service hortly afterwards.

TOA had completed arrangements last fovember to start the service with a lythe; but this would have meant re uelling at Townsville which, according to he Civil Aviation authorities, is unsuit ble as a flying-boat base. The Hythe lan was abandoned and arrangements re re made to purchase the Solent, which ould make the Brisbane-Port Moresby light non-stop.