DEFENCE IN THE AIR

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 23, 27 January 1934, Page 11

DEFENCE IN THE AIR

PLANS OF AUSTRALIA

A MODERNISING SCHEME

LONDON, January 18,

It is understood that the air officers at' Australia House are busily comparing manufacturers' data to decide the best type of aeroplane .with,- which to modernise the Australian Air Force. Preference is being shown for twoseater fighters suitable for army cooperation and day, bombing. . , ■ The questions under discussion now relate to modifications of. engines and equipment to suit Australian conditions. ■' ;. . . '.-. , "..'..,'

In view of the variety of duties carried out by the Australian forces with aircraft -of' limited range, the new Hawker machines, which, it is stated, are shortly to be ordered, will not be equipped exactly as their Australian counterparts. The new squadrons, however, are likely to embody the main features of some or all of the Hawker Hart, day bomber and Audax, and the Demon fighter. The machines are all two-seaters, and Australia may anticipate that the new craft will register excellent performances.

The Hart, with a 525 horse-power unsupercharged Bolls-Eoyce Kestrel water-cooled engine, is capable of attaining a speed of 134 miles an hour, and it climbs to 10,000 ft in eight minutes. The Audax, similarly engined, and with heavy army co-operation, equipment, is capable of a speed of at least 167 miles an hour.

The JDemon, which is another variation of the Hart, has beei. adopted as one of the standard types for the Koyal Air Force, with, which certain fighter squadrons >are now being re-equipped. No official details of its performances have been available since 1931, when it was capable of flying at 180 miles an hour, with an exceptionally heavy load. It has since been so improved that it is believed to be capable of attaining a speed of 190 to 200 miles an hour, reaching 10,000 ft in seven minutes and 20,0Q,0ft in sixteen minutes, with-a "ceiling" of 26,000 ft.

This machine has a 523 horse-powur Kestrel supercharged engine. All three types, which are superficially similar, are fitted with Handley Page safety slots, two Viekers guns, with the firing: synchronised through the propeller, and an adjustable Lewis gun in the xear cockpit.