HIGH-SPEED LAUNCH

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 138, 8 December 1938, Page 11

HIGH-SPEED LAUNCH

FOR DEFENCE USE

ORDER PLACED AT HOWIE

The Government nas placed an order through the High Commissioner in London .for the purchase, at a cost of about £22,000, of a 64-foot highspeed motorboat which is required by the Navy,' Army, and Air Force tor towing targets, and also for use with the Air Force as a rescue craft and for general operational training. In making this announcement in an interview last evening, the Minister in charge of the Air Department (the Hon. F. Jones) said that delivery -was expected in New Zealand in August next year.

"The launch is somewhat similar to I the motor torpedo boats in use in the Hoyal Navy," said Mr. Jones "It is powered with three Napier Sea £.ion engines, and is capable of doing 40 knots. The vessel has a good radius of action and is extremely seaworthy. it-is provided with a full range of navigational equipment, .and equipped with wireless.

"The launch will be of the greatest value for target towing practices with the coast defences of the defended ports tnrougnout the Dominion, for high-speed target practices with the Navy, ,and for towing target for practice 'bombing carried out by the Air Force. It will also be used to a considerable exteiat in connection with the operational training of reconnaissance aircraft over the sea, and will be available for rescue work in the event of aircraft feeing farced down at sea."