AIR-BORNE MERCHANDISE

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1931, Page 7

AIR-BORNE MERCHANDISE

CURIOUS FREIGHT. One of the romances of modern aviation is the growth which is now taking place in the aerial transport of urgent merchandise. Often, at the prsent time, and in a singlo day more than 20 ‘tons of freight are passing either inward or outward through London’s aerial terminus at Croydon. During the recent period of n*.nr months nearly 700 tons ot urgent mail and merchandise were air-horne to and fro along the European and Indian lines of imperial Airways. That such loads are greatly increasing may be gathered from the fact that, during 1928, the total figure was not more than about 500 tons. Remarkable, now, is 'the variety oi air-horne merchandise. Often a stranded motorist on the Continent will cable for some spare part for his car. Across this goes to him at once in the nexl air express. Fragile articles rn growing numbers are despatched by aeroplane, not only on account of the speed, but also for the reason that air borne goods receive such care in hand, ling and transport. An important point when considering the airway as a means of transit for urgent loads, is that insurance is cheaper by air than by any other Transport, owing to . the absence of pilfering and the greatly reduced risks of breakage, Nearly 2,000,000 wireless valves have now been air-borne in the mnehin es of imperial Airways between London and the Continent. So, also, have approximately £so,ooo worth Of loud speakers, When valuable pictures have to be sent to and' fro between London and the Continent it lias now become the rule to consign them vra the airway. It is increasingly the habit, also, on account of the special handling it receives, to send delicate electrical apparatus by air. Perishable goods find their way constantly into aerial cargoes, the saving of time in aeroplane transport representing not merely hours hut days. Not long ago, owing to the fact that brussels sprouts are not normally available in Egypt in winter, some of the big hotels in Alexandia and Cairo conceived the idea of having a consignment sent out specially by the Indian mai lplane to give an extra attraction io the Christmas fare. So, also, on another occasion, were a number or lobsters. The existence of the Imperial Airways route enables vital time saving to be effected in sending samples of tne Egyptian cotton crop to London. Nearly all th c bullion despatched from London to the Continent is now air-horne—a convincing tribute not only to the speed but also to the security of aerial transport, Often, too, as a contrast from this, a eonshipment of day-old chicks will be placed on an early-morning plane, and in not more than a clay’s flying will reach some destination far distant across the Continent, Strange loads are sometimes airborne, Not long ago an Imperial Air way cargo machine had its interior transformed, temporarily, into a lion’s den. In this improvised cage a fully grown lion accompanied by its trainer flew from Paris to London to take part in a circus. On another occasion a big Handley Page-Nnpier cargo plane had its hull fitted up as a horsebox, in order to Transport a valuable animal on an urgent aerial journey from abroad. Occasionally a tank of those strange creatures, “sea horses'’ will come through from the South of France, consigned to the London Zoo, .Merchandise despatched by air from Croydon at niid-dav is delivered in Paris the same evening. It is also possible in a single day to effect the aerial transport and delivery Oi packages to such important distillations as Brussels, Cologne, and Lerlin. On the Imperial Airways England-!ndia route a consignment of goods will reach Egypt from London in four days, and will be in India in not. more than seven days, while along the new African route, when It is in full operation, air loads will renh Capetown in 11 days, as compared with 17 days by surface transport. One oi the aims ill building up the air freight of Imperial Airways has been to Quicken every aspect of the ground organisation. Exporters familiar with transport through large docks are prone to think of Customs’ clearance as a business of any thing from 2-1 to 48 hours, except in eases where special rates are paid. In aerial transport trie average aerodrome Customs’ time is not more than from two to five hours. All possible steps are taken to simplify air goods transport. There is no need for anyone to fill up a series of large multi-form consignment notes. Imperial Airways have shortened this process until all that is necessary is to complete one simple form to which arc attached invoices. When ibis lias been completed, assuming the goods are being consigned from London, all that is necessary is to ling up Imperial Airways so that the consignment may he collected for its aerial journey. Consignments from 'die provinces come up by rail to London and are collected by the airway vans from timrailway termini and taken direct to Croydon for air despatch on the next departing plane.