Pacific Pioneer Return

Harry Lyon and James Warner, the two surviving members of the crew of four who made the first air crossing of the Pacific, crossed it again in August.

THIS time, though, they flew by Qantas Sup e r Constellation, accompanied by their wives—a different kind of journey from the cne they made in the old Southern Cross, piloted by Charles (later Sir Charles) Kingsford Smith and C T. P. Ulm, in May, 1928.

Lyon, now 73, of Maine, who was navigator in the pioneer flight; and Warner, in his 60’s, of California, who was radio operator, made their second trip across the Pacific in 30 years so they could be guests-of honour at the opening, in Eagle Farm, Brisbane, of a big glass memorial hangar for the Southern Cross.

The Australian public donated: more than £30,000 for this final and fitting resting place for the “Old Bus”, which for years had been shoved away in one corner of & hangar at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport.

Took it Easy Warner and Lyon made their new Pacific crossing in easy stages, be cause they aren’t as young as thej£ were. They rested here and there a_ong the route, between receptions, and dinners, and Press and TW interviews.

It was tiring, but they agreed thev were glad they had come.

At Honolulu, which was first stop-i pmg place on the pioneer journeys they looked at Wheeler Field again n 9. t a paddock now) and) Barking Sands.

They watched a Service missile! turn g fired ’ and a jet fighter do as In Suva, they walked across Albert-; Park, where the Southern Cross had) put down on the flight from Hono-< “c , won dered, out loud, how Smithy had ever made it).

They took a boat to Naselai Beachfj f °w n the coast, where the loaded Southern Cross had taken oflft again on the final flight to Brisbanes and met some of the Fijians from as

Above, Albert Park, Suva, and Naselai Beach, photographed last month, just as Lyon and Warner saw them again after 30 years. The “Southern Cross ” came in at the top right-hand corner of the park after a row of trees in the centre had been cut down. She taxied from the near end of the beach and took off for Australia around the curve. Albert Park was too small for her to take off when fully laden. —Photos Rob Wright, Fiji PRO.

HAWAII; James Warner and Harry Lyon get every man's idea of a real Islands greeting they arrive at Honolulu. on the first leg of thir return flight across the Pacific.

Photo; Carters.

■tillage which had helped them on jtbeir way. . , .

I In Sydney they were involved in rtiieir biggest Press interviews yet, land took a day or two off to relax at Surfers’ Paradise, on the east coast, before they got to Brisbane and the official opening of the Eangar by Australian Deputy Prime ; Minister Sir Arthur Fadden.

Memories

■ During the month-long pilgrim age, Lyon and Warner scratched their memories and came up with these angles on that first famous “Smithy”, without sleep for 34 hours when Suva came into sight, had his doubts about putting the aircraft down in the small park \some of whose trees had been cut down especially for the occasion). [ He passed back a message to Lyon and Warner; “This is the end of [the flight. I’m going to ditch her in the harbour.” Then came another: “I’m going to give her a go.”

After they landed they measured [the fuel—enough for 20 minutes’ flying.

Nearly Burned

At Naselai, remembered Warner, [the Southern Cross was nearly de stroyed—but he had kept the fact ‘officially secret” all these years.

Warner that night had had to watch the aircraft as it was parked ion the beach, ready for the take : off next day. But he paid a visit to the chief’s house at nearby Vadrai

[village.

Going back to the beach later he was horrified to find that a number [of Fijian policemen, w r ho were guarding the aircraft, had lit a big bonfire under one wing so as to keep themselves warm.

There were hundreds of gallons of fuel in the tanks.

Warner raced up and kicked the fire away with his feet.

“I didn’t report this to anyone,” said Warner, “for fear Captain Kingsford-Smith might dismiss me there and then and ship me back I to the States.”

"Sportsmanship"

In Suva, another memory came back when Suva’s Mayor, solicitor A. D. Leys, showed the pair the [ original of an agreement they had [ signed with Smith and Ulm in Suva, in which Lyon and Warner were invited “as an act of sports : manship” to fly the last leg of the ! Pacific flight, from Suva to Brisbane. The original is with : Leys’ firm.

Originally, Lyon and Warner were [ to come as far as Suva only, and be paid off there. Smith and Ulm s intended then to make the final [ flight alone. But in Suva the four decided to stick together, and drew I up this further agreement.

FIJI: Ratu Penione, of Naselai, presents a tabua (whalestooth) to the pioneers and their wives, part of traditional welcome ceremonies the Fijians accorded the visitors.-Fiji PRO.

AUSTRALIA: Lyon and Warner in a melancholy mood as they take a final look over the Old Bus in her new resting place in Brisbane.