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[[image No. 43 - black & white photograph of 4 men, part of crew of airship R-34]]

[[image No. 44 - drawing of Coat of Arms, reading PRO PATRIA VOLANS H.M.A.R XXXIV on bow of airship]]

[[image No. 45 - black & white photograph of airship R-34 landing in Long Island]]

[[caption]] Ernest Cross, seated in chair, and R-34 engineering mates (43), before Atlantic departure, taken in Scotland. At Mineola, Long Island, a jubilant salute (45).  Lion of Scotland (44) on bow of ship, designated His Majesty's Airship, Rigid. [[/caption]]

Ernest Percival Cross

As R-34 eased her way over Nottingham, His Britannic Majesty, George V, sent her exuberate and brave crew a message. "I heartily congratulate you all on your safe return home after the completion of your memorable, and indeed, unique Atlantic voyage." She was home.

The R-34 was the first aircraft to cross the Atlantic Ocean nonstop from the Old World to the New, and the first aircraft to complete the voyage with a nonstop return. The 641-foot-long dirigible beauty left East Fortune, Scotland, July 2, 1919, arriving 108 hours later at Roosevelt Field, Long Island. Her east to west complement was 28 officers and enlisted ranks of the Royal Navy, Lt. Comdr. Zachery Lansdowne, the U.S. Navy official observer, one stowaway discovered the following day, a cat named Wopsie, and two homing pigeons. Engineer Cross, an enlisted rank in charge of one engine, left the Navy in 1920, to become an American citizen. On July 9, R-34 returned to England, landing at Pulham, 75 hours later. Percy Cross, an expert Rolls-Royce engineman, had a plan.

"Our airship was built at Inschinnan, on the River Clyde, just below Loch Lomand. The Lion of Scotland was the crest on her bow. I tried to steal the hammered metal plate, but couldn't figure out where to hide it!"

Prior to his residency in the U.S., Percy was associated with a variety of Sidney Cotton's aerial enterprises in Canada's Maritime Provinces.

[[image - small drawing of propeller]]

Ernest Percival Cross: born Melton-Mowbray, Leicestershire, England, November 23, 1895.

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