IMperiaL Air Service,

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 174, 17 April 1919, Page 9

IMperiaL Air Service,

.ColoneU Bettington mentioned that lie was having-four of. the Very" latest aeroplanes, sent .to New; Zealand.. and -tliese. would arrive at aiiy. time. •, They would be assembled, immediately; on arrival, and used to. demonstrate the advance made by the Air.Service:."'Wo'of these macJiineswere Bristol"flgl}tejs t "jilted'win 275-horse-poiver motors, aiid'werc the. v6ry latest- two-seater machines; ':They'coiild travel! at a speed of 115 miles an hour fit a height of 10;0p0ft., while the other two .machines, which were fitted with motors of 3i5-hoi-3C-power, could, attain a. speed of 130 miles an ho.ur at .the same height. •'.This'latter'type'was .used for long-distance' reconnaissance and.day bombing. These machines could sustain their full war load at a Imiglit-of. 20,000 ft. As an indication of thecoj of operating these machines, Colonel Bettington mentioned (hat. these hignpower aeroplanes cpuld get the same mileage per gallon of petrol as 'tho.best make of motor-car, and the'lower power aeroplanes which would take the air in the future would operate as advantageously in' this respect as. the present-day touring, and commercial motor. ' '

"The Air Ministry. is desirous of doing all possible to create an Imperial AilService, involving the establishment of an All lied Eou.te," raid Colonel Bettington. "This will facilitate-, the' exchange of officers between England and the overseas dominions enabling the component parts of the Empire to keep in closer touch, while the iiiterchiingino of ideas will enable us to standardise our air service for'defence purposes.. Incidentally, the'...knowledge gained will

prove-of immense value for thp' developmellt of 'ouf ..air'commerce. ,. Colonel Bettington has tan lent to the New-Zealand . Government for' a period of six months, but expects .to complete his reports in less time.