AUCKLAND BASE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 201, 10 September 1937, Page 9

AUCKLAND BASE

-lJres8 Assocniiiori i

Trans-Pacific Air Service MR. GATTY'S COMMENT

(By Telesrai>h-

WELLINGTON, Laafc Night. "We know we can uso tke Auckland area for our base, but at prcscnt it is not ideal for our purposes," said Mr Harold Uatty, spccial representativ© of Pan-Ainerican Airways interests in New Zcaland. He and Mrs. Gatty expect to be in Wellington until Tuee--day next. Mr. Gatty tliouglit it would be another four or five years before anyono could deterniine wliat type and size of plane would be used for transoceanic services. He anticipated many developments in aircraft, and upon tliem would depend the nature of botb land and water bases. IIo cxpected a dec?,sion from his prineipals on the Auckland base witliin the next two or threo weeks. "Wellington has not altogetker beeu eliminated from our plans," he said. "At the moinent we are rnore concerned at the distance over the final hop from San Erancisco — Pago Pago to Auckland."' The range of the planes was a factor at present which determined, to a large extent, the locality of a terminal base. The extra 200 miles it would take on a course to Wellington would result in practically no payload if a Sikorsky clipper similar to that used by Captain Musick on his first survey flight were flown, It would make little difference, however, to the payload when the big 40-ton Boeings, capable of carrying 40 to 60 passengers, were operated. These craft were at present being constructed and would be flying early in the new year. They would be equipped with four, engines, each de•veloping 1500 horse-power. These ship? would be ea.sily twice the size of an ordinary clipper boat.