Vintage biplanes attempt Greece-South Africa imperial route

Twelve vintage biplanes from the 1920s and 1930s set off from the Greek island of Crete on Saturday bound for South Africa for a 12,800-kilometre (8,000-mile) race never attempted before by so many antique aircraft.

The planes are following the route plied by Imperial Airways, a British commercial air transport company that linked Britain's colonies in Africa.

The trip is expected to take 35 days and teams are representing 18 countries, including Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, the United States and Britain.

They will travel through 10 nations such as Egypt, Botswana, Zanzibar, Zimbabwe and Tanzania and make 37 stops en route before finishing in Cape Town.

"Hopefully, we'll all get there and have a massive party when we arrive," said Vintage Air Rally organiser Sam Rutherford.

The planes will make a stop at the Giza pyramids in...