In an attempt to inject a little levity, whatever the rights and wrongs: somehow this thread reminded me of the scene in the splendidly politically incorrect film Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, where the Japanese pilot has just arrived for the race having allegedly flown solo (should that be "sole"?) to England from Japan and is being interviewed by a reporter.
Reporter:
Excuse me, sir. May I have a word with you?
You must've had a remarkable journey. Ten thousand miles, wasn't
it? Did you fly it all?
Japanese Pilot:
Of course!
First I came by mule train to Yokohama, then by ship to Vladivostok to catch the Trans-Siberian Express.
Reporter:
Good heavens!
Japanese Pilot:
From Moscow, overland to Paris, then to Dieppe, where I took the cross-channel ferry to Folkestone.
Reporter:
Quite a remarkable journey.
Japanese Pilot:
But at Folkestone I boarded my machine and flew all the way here!
Four miles!
Reporter:
Amazing!
Sadly, the film does not make clear if he won an HCAP award for this.....
