FLYING IN NEW ZEALAND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2019, 23 August 1919, Page 4

FLYING IN NEW ZEALAND.

CHRISTCHURCH TO WELLINGTON. PROSPECTS OF THE FLIGHT. - * ' The two “D.H.l’s” nml two Bristol Fighters, the up-to-date aeroplanes which arrived at Auckland by the Matatua on the Bth inst, are now due in Christchurch, and it is expected will soon be put together by the mechanics at Soekburn, and be ready for dying. The “D.H.l’s,” being exactly the same as those vhich were used for the conveyance of tint Peace delegates between Paris and London, a Post reporter on Thursday asked Colonel A. de Vere Bettington, C.M.G., R.A.F., the aerial expert who was sent out to the New Zealand Government by the British Air Ministry, whether there is any immediate prospect of a light from Christchurch to Wellington being undertaken.

Colonel Bettington, in reply, held out little prospect of the (ask being attempted on account of there being no proper landing facilities, and no aerodrome here, which meant that unwarranted risks would be run in inflicting serious damage upon what were really very valuable machines. “Perhaps,” said Colonel Bettington, “I had better explain the conditions under which these machines were brought out. Before leaving England I asked the Imperial Government to allow’ me to take these machines out;it was decided that the Air Ministry should bear the whole cost, and the machines, etc., were to remain the property of the Imperial Government. They are not the gift machines offered to the New Zealand Government. The machines, with spares, etc., which are w'orth upwards of £20,000, were not intended for any special demonstration, but rather for the personal use of myself and staff. Now, as an expert, I say candidly that it would be impossible to fully demonstrate the possibilities of aerial travel with these machines, as there are no suitable landing places or aerodromes other than at Christchurch itself. They are purely war machines, primarily designed for speed and climb, with little thought for slow landing; consequently the space required is verv much larger than would be needed for slower ones or those designed for commercial or peace-time use. The slower machines at present in use at Auckland and Christchurch can land safety wthilc going at the rate of 25 miles per hour, whereas the landing speed of the D.II. 4’s and Bristol Fighters is between 55 and (50 miles an hour considerably more than the average top speed of motor cars on the best yf roads. When, it is also borne in mind that tlm under-carriage and ■wheels are of the lightest construction, only a little stouter thaU/ordinary motor cycle wheels, it will be understood that good, level grounds with oiien access are essential, the possibility of landing without damaging the machine at Wellington is therefore remote until an aerodrome is made; another dilliculty is the absence of hangars, and it is not proposed to expose the machines to weather and rain unduly, as I have to account to the Air Ministry for them, A similar difficulty would b.e experienced at Auckland, and at every other place. Consequently, too much should not be expected of these machines in the first instance, and I trust the public will not bo undid v disappointed if they are not seen at Wellington until an aerodrome is available.” , Colonel Bettington added that he expected to be able to lly the machines in Christchurch within a week or ten days. »