AERIAL DREADNOUGHTS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 141, 4 February 1916, Page 3 (Supplement)

AERIAL DREADNOUGHTS.

We have been hearing a lot about German super-aeroplanes, carrying a large crew and two or three machineguns. What truth there is in the .statements it is impossible to say, but the All is have not been idle in th s respect. At the present time the French have an aerial army forming divisions and squadrons, with battleplanes, cruiser-planes, scouts, and torpedo planes, heavily armoured, and carrying 3in. cannon and niaciune guns.

Each squadron consists of n ne aeroplanes of all types, including one bat-tle-plane, two cruisers, and six scoutplanes, with a complement of upwards of fifty officers and men, both for flight and transportation by lorries and traders, wherewith each squadron iequipped. The large battle-planes are marvels of iiy ng craft. They carry a crew of twelve men. with two cannons on the wings throwing 3in. steel projectiles. There are two pilots, with seats close together, in the centre of the car, but in any emergency the machine can be handled by one man. Two observers and two naval gunners are included in the crew. This new battle-plane has an average speed of e'ghty miles an hour, and is built at a cost which i.s trifling compared with that <■. a Zeppelin.

A tit companion for this great battleplane is the new destroyer-plane, a miniature type of tly : ng craft, which lias a speed of 100 miles an hour. It is armed with a machine-gun, which is operated by the driver, who at the same time acts as observer and pilot. This new swift aeroplane destined to become an air scout and perform the ta-ks entrusted to destroyers at sea.