MERMOZ Jean (1901-1936) aviateur.

Lot 189
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Estimation :
1500 - 2000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 1 449EUR
MERMOZ Jean (1901-1936) aviateur.
4 P.A.S., autograph telegrams signed, Natal 11-12 June 1930, to Didier DAURAT in Toulouse; 8 pages oblong small in-4 in pencil on headed paper Cia. Auxiliar Radio-Emissora do Brasil. Difficulties in getting the Comte de La Vaulx to leave for his return flight. [The flight was supposed to leave on May 31, then was postponed to June 8; after several unsuccessful attempts, Mermoz could not leave until July 9, but had to ditch the seaplane 900 km from Africa]. June 11, 10:50 p.m.: "Mermoz Ramade Urvoy are here. I made twelve attempts with the same total load of St Louis plus 37 kgs and four attempts with about 5,300 kgs. Engine 1820 revolutions fixed point. Perfect propeller pull-out and consumption tests. Left float gauge plus right float because of gasoline side load. [...] Wind up made 600 meters straight perfect across river full load, but had to stop distance being too short "... - 23 h 30 : " Barometric pressure 760. Temperatures; day tests 31° night tests 26°. Wind SE varying 1 to 5 meters second. Starting line angle with constant SE wind varying 35 to 80° various directions of departure. Consumption tests with 600 l. gasoline 100 jgs oil and eight passengers. We did not discover anything else that could help us. Tomorrow Thomas Ramade will recognize Macau region then by boat or iron Parayba or Macau "... June 12, 8:45 a.m.: "Will make tomorrow tests according to your instructions [...] Crossing with next amfranc will oblige us to make five and six scabrous hours dark night. I did reconnaissance four hours this morning in Parayba and North Natal. Parayba is a beautiful body of water with a dominant wind but without depth. Sand banks. Aircraft in perfect flying condition"... - 8 h 50 : " Hydro is in hangar. [...] Touching up bitumastic paint has been done on the floats which are not oxidized and behave admirably without taking water. Ripolin wings are coming off everywhere. [...] Let's pass enamel and white lacquer paint. [...] Mechanics above all praise. [...] Crew wishes to go back and rest as soon as possible France"... 12 pay slips are attached, February 1930-January 1931; in-4 or in-fol. partly printed on the letterhead of the Compagnie Générale Aéropostale (plus one attachment). Mermoz's pay slips during seaplane tests and the Atlantic crossing on the Comte de La Vaulx, issued for the most part by the Operations Department in Toulouse, and two by the South American subsidiary, with the breakdown of the stages and the surcharges for night flights; on the back, the details of the flights made (14 in May, 13 in June), with the names of the crew and passengers (Etienne, Dabry, Gimier, Bouilloux-Lafont, etc.). Provenance: MERMOZ archives (sale Artcurial October 11, 2008, M48 and M37).
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