FUTURE MACHINES

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1933, Page 6

FUTURE MACHINES

TYPES EXPERTS FAVOUR REDUCING TIME OF JOURNEY LONpON, October 16. The Sun news service says wonderful times could be made to Australia with .suitable machine*. At least three British factories could immediately build an, aeroplane to reach Melbourne safely in 64 hours’ flying time, at a cost of about £20,000. Most experts favour a two-engined (each. of 600 horse-power) two-seater .with .a cruising speed of 230-40 miles an hour, and a maximum of 270, with a range ,of 2000 miles, to reach Melbourne 5n four days, allowing for eight hours daily on the ground, but the pilots >vould have little opportunity for sleep. The first aeroplane would cost £20,000 and the second only £IO,OOO. j Britih manufacturer are reluctant to build fast, powerful machines like the-American, owing to the Empire passenger in ail policy. ; The death of a wealthy young man in a flyipg accidefit, who, with a friend, recently commissioned such a machine )vfth a cruising speed of 210 miles an hpixr, for the purpose of pleasure flying and record breaking, led to the'cancellation of, such an order. , Captain Edgar Percival, designer of the Percival-Gull monoplane in which Sir Charles Kingsford Smith flew to Australia recently, states that a dingleengined machine of 700 horse-power with a cruising speed of 180 miles an hour and a range of 2000 was the most suitable type at the practical price of £SOOO. . ' The aeronautical correspondent of the Evening News says a 12-seater American-Douglas with a cru'ising speed of 180 miles an hour and a maximum of j 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 any fly by night and clay hops of 2000 miles. The cabin will be converted into a great petrol tank. The fliers may postpone the start ‘ in order to compete in the centenary race.