SIR JOHN BUCHANAN 10 TCUR DOMINION

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5305, 18 January 1947, Page 4

SIR JOHN BUCHANAN 10 TCUR DOMINION

Former Director-General Of Aircraft Production One of the leading Lrgures in the British aircraft mdustry, Sir John Buchanan, C.B.E., F.R.Ae.S., will ai*rive in Auckland 011 Monday to make a brief tour of New Zealand, During the war, Sir John held the important position of Director-General of Air-

craft Production. In 1945 he transferred to the position of technical direetor of Short's, the first manufacturers of aircraft in the world. Since the war, New Zealand has had several important visitors who were conneeted with aviation in the United Kingdom. The visit of Sir John follows the one made last year by Lord Winster, then Minister of Civil Aviation, and Lord ICnollys, chairman of the British Overseas Airwaj^s' Gorporation. Both Lord Winster and Lord ICnollys, during their 1 visit, emphasised the important part flying boats were intended to play in British air services. As technical direetor of Short's, Sir John played a leading part in the production of the first British post-war flying boat, the Solent. That hoat recently underwent successful trials, and B.O.A.C. have placed an initial order for 26 to place on Empire routes. Sir John is travelling on the flying boat route from England to New Zealand to make himself familiar with all the conditions encoun.ered. While he ; is in New Zealand, he will examine facilities and conditions to ascertain ; whether flying boats would require ' any special modifications. Sir John is specially interested in ; the operating conditions encountered ! by Tasman Empire Airways, as the f sea crossing* of 1342 miles between Auckland and Sydney is regarded as ; oue of the severest tes.s for aircraft 1 in the world. In that regard it is: inj teresting to note that Tasman Airi ways has been operating the route : now for more than six years, and only I on one occasion was it necessary for j a flying hoat to alight outside the two j terminals. The boat alighted on the j sea near Lord Howe Island, and after i a slight adjusment was effected, it i resumed its flight to Sydney.