NEW AIR FORCE PLANCE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 127, 15 June 1937, Page 5

NEW AIR FORCE PLANCE

• Press Assh.-

Deadly and Eificient Machines FIVE TYPES BUILDING

!Bv Telegraph-

-Copyright.)

LOhiDON, June 14. The Morning Post's aviation correspondent reveals that the efficieney and deadliness of the Air Force will be considerably increased by five new types of bombers at present being constructed. The types are: Fairey Battle medium bomber, Bristol Blenheim medium bomber, Handley-Page Harrow heavy bomber, Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley heavy bomber, Vickers-Wellesley longrange bomber and a general purposes machine. This group would form the spearhead of any large-scalo attack. The machines are the most advanced military' types yet produced in Britain and chaRengo comparison with aircraft in any country. The Bristol has a top speed of 279 miles an hour, the Fairey 257 miles an hour, the Vickers-Wellesley 202.5 miles an hour, while both heavy bombers approach 200 miles an hour. The HandleyPage is very heavily armed,- carrying four guns housed in two turrets fore and aft. The bomb loads are still secret but the Fairey ineludes provision for an exceptionally big bomb load. for a single-engined' machine. It is believed the Fairey will be adopted in the largest quantity owing to its range and speed. It can also be made in mass production like a motor-car if necessary. The new lighters will be capable of exceccling -300 miles an hour.