Tracey Curtis-Taylor (Merged threads)

[Mike Flynn]

Sorry to dodge out of this topic for a week or so but I am in Laos researching the damage done by US dropped landmines during the Vietnam war that are still killing and maiming people today.

On to the Spirit Of Artifice

To get to the root of the whole shabang you have to go back to the start of the story and Boeing Aircraft who issued the press release below on November 4th 2013.

In my book all the excuses in the world about "sole pilot" will not wash with a flight 'emulating' Lady Mary Heath but sold to media by Boeing as a SOLO JOURNEY.

Lady Mary Heath flew alone without any so-called support team.

Supporting Curtis-Taylor's S. Africa-to-UK Flight in Vintage Biplane

7,000-mile trip re-creates Lady Mary Heath's 1928 journey
Photos(1)
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CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Nov. 4, 2013 – With support from Boeing [NYSE: BA], pilot Tracey Curtis-Taylor has taken off on a 7,000-mile (11,000-kilometer) solo journey, in a reconditioned Boeing Stearman open-cockpit biplane, to retrace Lady Mary Heath’s historic 1928 flight between South Africa and the United Kingdom.

Heath was the first pilot, male or female, to make such a journey.

Curtis-Taylor, a UK-based pilot, departed Cape Town on Nov. 2 with plans to land in Goodwood, near London, in December. She is flying a refurbished 1942 Stearman named Spirit of Artemis, after sponsor Artemis Investments.

“We hope this journey inspires people along the route to learn more about the remarkable history of aviation and the role Boeing has played in the past, as well as the important role we play in African aviation today,” said Boeing Military Aircraft President Chris Chadwick.

More than 8,500 Stearmans were built in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. The airplane was the primary trainer for the U.S. Air Force and Navy during World War II.

For more information and to follow along with the trip, visit CapeTowntoGoodwood.com or Facebook.com/CapeTowntoGoodwood.

Boeing is the world's leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. Additionally, Boeing designs and manufactures rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems. As a major service provider to NASA, Boeing is the prime contractor for the International Space Station. The company also provides numerous military and commercial airline support services. Boeing provides products and support services to customers in 150 countries and is one of the largest U.S. exporters in terms of sales. Headquartered in Chicago, Boeing employs more than 170,000 people across the United States and in 70 countries. Total company revenues for 2012 were $81.7 billion. Follow us on Twitter: @Boeing.

# # #

Contact:

Felix Sanchez
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
International Communications
562-797-1114
[email protected]

Johan du Toit
Meropa Communications
[phone]
[email protected]

In my opinion the Spirit of Artemis was a big centenary PR stunt by Boeing Aircraft that crashed in Arizona.

Boeing played no part in Amy Johnson's or Lady Mary Heath's epic flights.

Lady Mary Heath flew a British made De Haviland aircraft not a 1942 Boeing Stearman.

Apart from being a biplane the Boeing Stearman is a completely different aircraft and not of the era.

Had the organisers of the Spirit Of Artemis wished to accurately emulate Lady Mary Heath's and Amy Johnson's flights then a decent start would have been a De Haviland Tiger Moth.

There are many still flying in Africa and across the world that are more than capable of still flying long distances.

As for Boeing Military Aircraft President Chris Chadwick's statement I suggest he take a history lesson.

The UK were aviation pioneers across the old British Empire long before Boeing.