AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1933, Page 6

AVIATION

FAST FLIGHTS TO AUSTRALIA WITH SUITABLE MACHINES. LONDON, October 21. j Commenting on Sir Maepherson ! Robertson’s offer to Sir Charles Kingsford Smith in connection with the Alelj bourne Centenary air race, an air ex- ) pert told the Sydney, “Sun” that won- | derful times could he jnacle to AustraI lia with suitable machines., At least three British factories could immediately build a .plane to reach Melbourne safely in 64 hours’ flying time, to cost about £20,000. I Alost experts favour a two-engined ['(each 0f... 600 horse-power) tw 0 -seater with a cruising speed of 230-40 miles an. hour, -and a. ; maximum of 270, with ‘a range of 2000 miles, to; reach A!elbo urn in four days, allowing for eight hours daily on the ground, hut the pilots would have little opportunity for sleep. The first plane would cost £20,000 and the second only £IO,OOO. British manufacturers are reluctant to build fast, powerful machines like the American, owing to the Empire passenger-mail policy. The death of a. wealthy young man in a flying accident, who, with a friend, recently commissioned such a plane with a cruising speed •of • 210 miles an hour, for the purpose of pleasure flying and record breaking,led to the cancellation of such an order.

I Captain Edgar , Percival, designer of the Percival-Gull piorioplane. in which J lvingsford Smith flew to ' Australia, told the special representative of “The Sun” that a. single-engined machine of 70 horse-power and-a cruising speed of 180 miles an hour and a range of 2000 was the most suitable type at , the practicable price of £SOOO. Sir Macpherson Robertson’s offer, lie said, was marvellous and would give Britain an excellent chance, otherwise there was little chance of a British machine entering-capable of meeting foreigners. ! The aeronautical correspondent of the “Evening News” says that a twelve-seater Amrican-Douglas with a cruising speed of 180 miles an hour and a maximum of 200 is intended to fly to Australia in two days and a half in 1934, the crew of three to take turns at the controls and fly by night and day in hops of 2000 miles. The cabin will be converted into a great petrol tank. The flyers may postpone the start in order to compete in the centenary race.