OVER 8000 PLANES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 43, 13 November 1937, Page 7

OVER 8000 PLANES

-Pris"5 ^ 880,-

Britain's Air Force Strength

NEW FAST MACHINES

(By Tclegrapb-

LONDON, Nov, L , Britain 's Eoyal 'Air Force is rapidly growing and the first line strength now exceeds 2000 macbines. This figure excl -dps the fleet air arm, overseas unfte and ateo reserves of which no country divulges figures. It is reliably stated, however, that •the Britisk total strength exceeds 8000, the bulk being reserves. On them de•pends a country 's ability to carry on a |war after the first casualties. Since the Boyai Air Force expansion iplan' was launehed, 1542 first lihe Imachines of the 1750 ordered have been 'delivered. Of 124 squadrons required, 123 have been formed, 3850 new pilots have been added to the strength, and 25,200 airmen have enlisted, making the total personnel 60,500. New and fast machines are being received and soon the lowest speed in the service will be 150 miles an hour, and the top speed 300 miles an hour. Before the cnd of 1938, there will be 50 new stations in Britain. Germany's strength is also believed to exceed 8000 machines. Majoy Turuer, the aeronautical correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, comments: "For many months German production exceeded the British by 10 pcr cent. Now with the shadow factories working, Britain may possibly hold her own. "An outstanding fact regarding the German effort is the technical exeellenee, particularly of the aeroplane engine, in which Germany had much ieeway to make up. However, Britaa has no reason to fear comparison as far as types of engines are concerned. Germany has no fighters or bombers in tho service superior to ours. "A fact in Germany's favour ig the more simple and rapid procedure from the inception of a new type and itg development. There is still much hampering and wasting of time in procedure " under the British system." -