AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1930, Page 5

AVIATION

~x 11.A.F. MACHINES. INCREASING THEIR SPEED. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received this day at 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 6. The “Daily Telegraph's” aviation writer states an all-round increase for LI.A.F. machines will result.in the reequipment now proceeding. Broadly speaing the 11.A.F. is passing from the 150 to the 180 miles per hour stage. Four classes of aircraft affected are the single-suaterfighier, interception fighter, and the day-bomber. The new fighter is a Bristol Bulldog with a speed of 174 miles an hour. It only takes 27 minutes to reach 26,50., ft. A steady increase in speed of day-bombers lias reduced the time between the first warning of danger and the arrival of the enemy over London, lienee the necessity of changes of design in five squadrons of the interceptors. Ihe actual changes, however, are still sec * ret Indeed the tests are continuing, particularly in connection with watercooled or air-ciooled engines. The greater speed of the fighter classes arc due to experience gained from the Schneider Trophy contest, minor improvements being satisfactory for a wheel brake. The best of day bombers is Hawken-Hart, which had a speed of 177 miles at 5000 ft. and can climb 15,000 ft. in sixteen minutes. Jt is all important that interception planes should climb rapidly and travel quicker than bombers at certain levels.