CARRYING SHEEP BY AIR

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 106, 21 May 1937, Page 6

CARRYING SHEEP BY AIR

Development Plan In Northern Territory DIESEL PLANES USED SYDNEY, May 6. The openang up of the Barkly Tableland, in the N orthern Territory, by carrying in sheep by air, is one of the proposals of a big air transport company now being formed in Melbourne. It plans, to use Diesel-engined 'planes. Methods sused in New Guinea, where 32,000 tons of machinery have beeu shifted by air, mainly for gold mining and dredging, are to be applied by the new company. At the head of the company is Mr. Ian Grabowski, who has been general manager of Guinea Airways. Major H J. Berriman, Australian representative of Junkers, aid recently that- the Diesel-engined 'planes it was proposed to uee carry three tons of pay load, at 160 miles an hour, using fuel ,oil that costs only 7d a gallon, as against 1/9 a gallon for petrol. The scheme is based on the fact that Barkly Tableland, good country, is surrounded by desert-like plains across which it is * very difficult to drove sheep. Working probably from Longreach, 'planes could carry 100 sheep each. Junkere freighters would be fitted so tat sheep would bo loaded in two deeks, one above the other. Mr. Grabowski says the Commonwealth Government will be approached later for co-operation in the plan. Seven Junkers freighters will be tho initial fleet. It is pToposed to "feed" the Tailheads and also operate to the coast ' in West Australia. As well as being much cheaper to operate than petrol 'planes, the Diesel aircraft haa the advantage of being almost ammune from fire risk in case of a crash, as the fuel oil is not inflammable.