AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1927, Page 3

AVIATION.

(Austra.ian Press Association A Sun. ROOKE’S FLIGHT ABANDONED. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) DELHI, Sept. 12. Rookc has abandoned his llight to Australia, owing to di(fieldties and delays in securing a now machine. SHORT OF PETROL. TOKYO, Sept. 11. The aeroplane “Pride of Detroit” was forced to land at Omura, near Nagasaki, owing to shortage of petrol due to going out of her course. RUSSIAN AIR FORCE. (Received this dav at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 12.

Lord Thompson in an article in the “ Observer,” says it is of curious significance that Russia in addition to creating a formidable air force, perceives more dearly than any other government the essential of air power. It is using state machinery to instil the air sense into Russians, making a ' study of aviation compui'sory in schools! nniir facilitating adult flying as a J pastime. Ukraine alone has 4,062 air nautical societies, with a membership of 360,000. Two other aviation socie-1 ties with a united membership of two millions cover nineteen air clubs and | 1200 localities. The air force has 1600 military aircraft. A national industry has been founded in building machines in Russia successfully, and specialising in all-metal machines, and the construction of the new alloy Koltchou galuminium, which has a tensile strength of $,600 pounds to the square inch. Russia, a few years hence, may control the Asiatic air routes eastward of Italy. It is reported it is intended to construct 2soo military aircraft by 1930. If Moscow makes Russian peasants air-minded, Italy, France and Germany together will be unequal to the Russians’ air force.

AUSTRALIAN FLIGHT. NEW YORK, Sept. 10. It is understood Smith lias decided to employ only an amphibian or seaplane for the Australian flight and may try to obtain Sikorsky’s flying boat for this purpose equipped with three special Wright whirlwind motors, hut if he fails in this lie will employ the (Fokker used by Wilkins during his (Arctic exploration.