LONG-DISTANCE FLIGHT

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 55, 27 November 1937, Page 6

LONG-DISTANCE FLIGHT

Two Hops on England to Australia AIR FORCE ATTEMPT (Received 27, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, Nov; 26. , The " aeronautical correspondent of The Times "referring to the plans for I experimehts .in' long distance flying , says 'th'at" the Vickers-Wellesley machines are to proceed to Australia in , May, m'aking only one stop, probably at Singapore. The designer has stated that the planes should have a range of 18,000 miles . in still air. Given favourable winds. this. might allow a non-stop trip to Singapore, but a bait this side of Singapore -might still allow a non-stop hop to Sydney. Bnstol ^Pegasus engines will bo used with'variable-pitch airscrews. Wing Commander O. R. .Gayford is to be in command. It is proposed that oue of tliese flights shall be made in connection with the New South Wales sesquicentenary celebrations. iWng-Commander Gayford's experi- ■ ence will be used in training the pilots and planning the journeys. Each plane will caj-ry. two pilots. The Times says that four years have passed since 'Great Britain attempted the world's record long-distance flight. "The ltoyal Air Force seizes ' the opportunity to-pay a graceful tribute to Australia as a contribution to the sesquicentenary," contimies The Times. "The Air Ministry is to be congratulated on the thoroughness of the preparations. After so long a period of development without a demonstration, it has been wise to place the flight under the command of an oflicer who made the last long-distance flight for Britain. The mere proposal to make the attempt with standard military aircraft is significant of 'the policy of the Air Council and the fruits which it may yield in information on the design of aeroplanes and engines should serve a most useful purpose as an example of progress, and especially as an assurance to British territories overseas, which might need in an emergency to look to Britain for help." "