AUSTRALIA'S AIR FLEET
POLICY OF LOCAL CONSTRUCTION. A busy time is in store for the Commonwealth Aviation Corps. In addition to the pilots' flying course, which is now iii progress at Point Cook, activity is being shown in the actual building of machines, and it is hoped that in the near future the Commonwealth may embark energetically upon tho construction of a small fleet of aeroplanes. Recently the Minister for Defence drew the attention of the engineering firms of the Commonwealth to the project, and published a request that such firms should submit tenders for the building, in the Commonwealth, of motor engines for i aviation purposes, owing to tho fact that the war made it impossible to import engines as had been done previously. Many inquiries have now been received by the Defence Department with regard to the matter. Firms from all over the Commonwealth have announced their willingness to build tho engines required. Although the industry is a new one for Australia, it is evident that engineers have no doubt of their ability to make it a success, and tho defence authorities are particularly pleased at the keen attitude of the various firms. The engine required is of the Renault pattern of aeroplane motor. So far, nothing lias been decided with regard to the allotment of tenders, but probably the Minister for Defence will give orders for the construction of one or two specimen engines in the near future, and the Defence Department generally has very little doubt that the necessary machines will bo supplied from Australian workshops. Meanwhile, the onlarged staff of mechanics at .Point Cook is working at tb? construction of a biplane. Further machines will be built os soon as possible. The main difficulty in the way of rapid construction lies in the fact that imported wood has to be used for the framework of aeroplanes.
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Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2441, 21 April 1915, Page 9
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311AUSTRALIA'S AIR FLEET Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2441, 21 April 1915, Page 9
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