BRITAIN TO RULE THE AIR.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1856, 16 September 1913, Page 11

BRITAIN TO RULE THE AIR.

NEW ADMIRALTY POLICY. 10 MORE AIRSHIPS; 200 WATERPLANES. A most important announcement concerning the policy of the Admiralty with regard to aerial defence was made by the "Daily Mail" on August 9. Tlie Admiralty has determined to acquire as soon as possible and to maintain tho same superiority over foreign nations in tho air as at sea. Groat Britain is to possess a paramount air navy of all types of air-craft. _Tlio new arm will bo known as the Naval. Air Service and will be separate and distinct from the Army aeroplane department. Though "seaplanes"—the official title given by the Admiralty to naval waterplanes—are regarded as tho most important branch of the new Service, tho Service is to have a similar predominance in airships. At present tho Navy only possesses two airships, tho Ger-man-built l'arseval and the Frenchbuilt Astra Torres. These airships havo been doing excellent work, and tho Admiralty decided to obtain as soon as possible ten more airships. Six non-rigid airships of medium sizo and two large rigid airships liavo already been ordered for tho Navy from Messrs. Viekers, Limited, and Messrs. Armstrong, Whitworth, and Co., and orders for two more rigid airships aro promised.

"Seaplanes" are to bo obtained literally by the score. In March last Mr. Churchill estimated that ho would have a hundred efficient "seaplanes" at the end of tho year. To maintain an active fleet of a hundred "seaplanes", naval experience shows that nearly 200 machines must bo acquired, allowanco being always made for about 50 per cent being under temporary repair or dismantled for overhauling. .What the Captains Want. Sinco tho First Lord's estimate in March, however, the esperienco of the naval manoeuvres has greatly enhanced the valuo of ''seaplanes" in tho opinion of tho Admiralty. Tho captains of nearly all tho battleships that took part in tho recent manoeuvres have written asking that their vessels may bo equipped with waterplanes. At present therefore the position is that tho Admiralty is anxious to acquire airships and "seaplanes" as quickly as possible.

With tlio incroaso in the air forces of ■the Navy will come a great alteration in naval strategy. Tho press lias already announced that there is to be a girdle of _ "seaplane" stations round Britain's coasts. Thero is also to be a similar serie-s of airship stations, though these will bo further apart. Tlie function of the naval airships, in war will be to carry out long-distance scouting; they will make rcconnaisances to thoonomy's coasts. Tho "seaplanes" are to do short-distance scouting; they will watch the enemy's fleet. , Eoth airships and "seaplanes" will carry wireless installations, by which they will ho enabled immediately to report to tho admiral commanding tho squadron to which they arc attached the dispositions of the enomy. Aircraft will therefore becomo the "eyes of tho fleet," replacing in this work tho fast, light-armed cruisers, and it is probable that in future an economy in tlie building of these vessels will go far towards providing tho cost of the new Air Service. As soon as possiblo evory cruiser squadron will have attached to it two or three special - cruisers 'carrying and convoying "seaplanes." Naval designers are engaged, in planning a now type of vessel specially suited for this work. Creat Opportunity. Such are the Admiralty's intentions and desires. A great opportunity is presented for the aircraft industry in.England. Unhappily up to the present it has badly failed the nation. As has already been pointed out, there is serious delay in tho delivery of Government orders. The following statement of tho position is stated by our contemporary to bo based on information from an unimpeachable source:— During the past year the Admiralty have found that some of tho work of the small Britbh aeroplane firms is unsatisfactory. ' Tho chief fault is lack of engineering brains and faulty organisation. To mention only one mistake that tho smaller firms have mado: They have not yet realised, what' is the naval experience— that the floats of ."seaplanes" should be built by expert boat-huilders. In somo eases groat' delays have occurred, and in others tho machines have been unablo to pass the Admiralty tests. Tho .small firms complain that they do not get enough orders and consequently aro unablo to expand. But it is quito impossible to give an order, say, for six machines when tho firm cannot produce a single machine of'any value. Owing to tho small-number of "seaplane" manufacturers in this country the Admiralty lias been obliged to place some orders with foreign firms. Even by doing this they liavo been unable to keep up to the estimated numbers. Tlireo British firms and one foroign firm have failed tho Admiralty badly. The output of the most succcssful builders is small, but this is improving, and they should do hotter next'year. Extending the Industry. Steps aro being taken to get some of tho larger armament firms to take up "seaplane" work. The future of Britain's defences depends on a vast extension of the aeroplane industry in the United Kingdom. Four great firms are now definitely entering it, namely':— Messrs. Viekers, Son, Limited. Messrs. Armstrong, Whitworth, and Co. Messrs. Whitehead and Co. Tho Coventry Ordnanco Co. These firms will dovoto tho best engineering brains and skill to a scientific development of tho industry.* Tho Admiralty is prepared- to assist with orders all firms who prove they can -undertake the construction of suitable and efficient aircraft. The Admiralty is and has been ready to advance part of tho price of "tho machine when the engines are obtained before tho delivery of the completed machine. The Admiralty will also give the advice of its expert designers for the help of able firms. If tlieso means fail to stimulate tho industry insufficiently thero looms the possibility of the construction of a great Admiralty aircraft-factory in tho neighbourhood of Chatham, where tho Navy can make its own machines. Finally,- at the root of tho whole question is tho demand for an efficient British aeroplane engine. An immense fortune undoubtedly awaits the inventor of a successful typo.