Seaplane Squadrons.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1922, Page 4

Seaplane Squadrons.

ESTABLISHMENT TN AUSTRALIA SYDNEY, Dec. 29.

Early next year the Federal Government will proceed with the establishment, of the nucleus of a squadron of seaplanes. It is the policy of the Government to have units of the air force established in the various States. Owing, however, to the financial situation, it is possible at present to establish units in New South Wales and Victoria only. In Victoria theie will be an aircraft depot, which will supply the whole of the equipment to the air force Units throughout Australia. There will also he a flying training school which will train pilots, observers, and aerial gunners for all units of the R.A.A.F., and a fighting squadron, which will he equipped with SE.5a aeroplanes. Finally there will he a reconnaissance squadton, equipped with DH.9 aeroplanes.

The units to he established in New South Wales are not so comprehensive. There will he the fighting and reconnaissance squadrons, as in Victoria, and also a seaplane squadron, equipped with seaplanes of the latest type, similar to that which has been standardised by the British Government. This type is known as the Fairey 3D, and it fitted with 355 h.p. Rolls-Royce engines.

It is expected that the units in Victoria will ho established at Point Cook. In New South Wales the fighting squadron will be situated at Richmond, . on the site of the old State aerodrome. A home for the seaplane squadron has not yet bees decided upon definitely, but it is probable it will be in the vicinity of Rushcutter Bay, in Sydney Harbour.

It is not generally known that the establishment of the Australian force on its present basis iSMlue to a very large extent to the generous manner in whiph it was endowed by the British Air Ministry. The value of the aeroplanes and equipment of all kinds received from that source as a gift is probably more than £2,000,000.