VALUE OF FLYINGBOATS FOR N.Z. CONDITIONS

Chronicle (Levin), 23 January 1947, Page 8

VALUE OF FLYINGBOATS FOR N.Z. CONDITIONS

AFCKLAND, Jan._22. The former Direetor-tfoneral of Aircraft Production for the British (iovernment duriug the Seeond World War and a prominen't iigure ia the British aircraft industry, >Sir .Tolm Buehanau, has arrived by flving boat from Svdnev. 'VI am ltere to lind out what operating conditions are like in Xew Zealand and what tvpe of aircraft can be used to suit local requirenients, and to see how our coiufiany can meet vour needs, " said Sir .Tohn, who is technieal director of Short Brolhers. 11 is lour was also undertaken to gain practical experienee and infonnation on Ihe operation of the Tasman and Kmpire (lyirigboats as it was extremely imporlan t for the manufaeturer to know how Ihe aircraft were used. "(7ne of tlio merits of flying hoata is that they save enormous costs of eonslrueting aerodromes and here in N e w Zealand where tliere are sueh line water htnding facilil.ies tliere are great opporl unil ies for Ihe use of ftyinglmats." Tlis couipany expecled that one of Iheir aireriift, a twin-engined ainpliibiou named Bealand, which was now under construcl ion would suit New Zealanfl conditions. Sir .Tohn is neoomptlnied by hFr. W. IT. Tlambrook, ehief projeet engineer of Short Brolhers, and Mr. fr. Pudfliootnbe, teeluiieal ropresentati ve of Ihe eompany for New Zealand. ITe will fly to Wellington tomorrow to meet the direetors of Tasman Empire Airways and will also have discussions with the National Airways axxd civil aviation ^uthorities,, • , , :