July 4th
July 4th
Daily Flight Information:
Departed: Multan, India
Arrived: Karachi, India
Miles Flown: 455
Flight Time: 7 hrs. 8 mins.
(6:10 a.m. to 1:18 p.m.)
Total Miles Flown: 12,930
Total Flight Time: 174 hrs. 48 min.
World Flight Arrives in Karachi "New Orleans" nearly lost en route
Daily Report
by Lt. L. P. Arnold, "Chicago", Mechanic
Departed for Karachi at 6 a.m. and again spent most of the time over the Sind Desert -- but today there was no sandstorm, and being at 4000 feet we were comfortably cool.
An hour out from Karachi, Nelson [pilot of "New Orleans"] had motor trouble & was extremely fortunate in being able to limp along to the field -- a forty mile walk through the desert to the nearest railroad wouldn't have been much fun.
A big crowd was out to see us arrive & the Air Station here is a large & well equipped one. It was decided to change motors in all planes & by evening all three were ready to lift out.
In the evening, the Commissioner had a dinner for us & this was the first time since leaving the States we have had dinner with ladies present.
Here we were scattered around, 3 at the Commissioner's, 2 at the Collectors, while I parked with General G.O.S. Sind Rajputana Dist.
Daily Report
by Lt. L. H. Smith, Commanding
At 6:10 a.m. this morning, the flight left Multan for Karachi, taking practically a compass course for its destination. During the first part of this trip, the country was of a flat nature, furnishing numerous emergency landing fields, whereas the last 100 miles or so was over a totally uninhabited desert where it would have been practically impossible to land without serious damage to the plane. It was over this desert and when about 70 miles from Karachi that the motor in the "New Orleans" went bad, caused by one of the valves dropping down the cylinder. Considerable damage was done to the motor but the pilot was able to complete the flight on 11 cylinders to Karachi where the entire flight landed at 1:18 p.m. Karachi is the Royal Air Force supply and repair depot for all Air Service activities in India. It is commanded by Wing Commander Hicks.
Engineering Report
by Lt. E. H. Nelson
"New Orleans" Pilot
During flight to this station, when about 55 miles from Karachi, No. 6 exhaust valve left bank came loose and dropped inside. This caused the piston and connecting rod to be broken and the valve head dropped through, causing three large holes to be broken in the lower half of the crank case. The rocker arm tappet cover was also broken off. The connecting rod must have been stuck in the top of the cylinder, as the motor continued to run very nicely on eleven cylinders. The engine lost about 200 RPM, but continued to run until we reached this station. The plane was literally covered with oil. No fire occurred, fortunately.