HOME OF GIANT BOMBERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20013, 11 August 1939, Page 8

HOME OF GIANT BOMBERS

NEW MODEL FACTORY 3240 MILES RANGE LONDON, July 10. One of the largest aircraft factories in the country, the rebuilt Vickers works adjoining Brooklands racing track, Weybridge, Surrey, is now producing "Wellington” long-range bombers at full pressure. A reporter recently visited the factory, both to inspect production methods and because the geodetic principle of construction, embodied in the Wellington and vindicated by the world record distance flights by Wellesley bombers last November, .is destined’ to have great developments.

The Wellington is a long-range twin-engined-—Bristol Pegasus 815 h.p.—-bomber, with a normal flying weight of 11 tons, a maximum speed ot z(is m.p.h. and a cruising speed of 215 m.p.h. at 15,000 ft.

Many R.A.F. squadrons are already equipped with it, and it is being produced in great numbers at Weybridge and elsewhere. Rapidity of Output. In this rebuilt factory all the latest methods are employed, and those who have seen factories in the United States and Germany are lull of admiration for wiiat they see here. A Canadian expert, fresh from a tour of European and American aircraft factories, said that what he called the "manufacturing hum” was higher at the Vickers works than in any others he had seen.

The geodetic principle has been compared to basket work. The curves of the duralumin bars, criss-crossed and forming the varied contours of wings and body, are scientifically determined.

When it was first introduced some critics feared that it would not lend itself to rapid production. It is, however, evident that, in proportion to the number of*people engaged, the output of Wellingtons here is more rapid than that of any machine of comparable size. Empire Air Patrols. The range of the Wellington with full load of bombs is 3240 miles, which is greater than that of any other European military type. Based at strategical points, such'as England, Egypt and Australia, it would give the Empire patrol and transport units of enormous value.

Mr. B. N. Wallis, the originator of this method of construction, lias shown that its structural efficiency can be increased up to 100 tons all-up weight.

Its importance in military aircraft lies in the fact that it increases the striking power of the R.A.F. by increasing the weight of bombs that can be carried per man of the flying personnel, an economy in valuable lives that has hitherto received too little attention.