FLYING THE TASMAN

Southland Times, Issue 21093, 27 May 1930, Page 2

FLYING THE TASMAN

YOUTH’S BIG IDEAS. A SERVICE NEXT YEAR? Sydney, May 1. Big trees from little acorns grow. Will a weekly air service across the Tasman from Sydney to New Zealand-be the outcome of the dreams of a Sydney youth, Rowland Ashworth, a 20-year-old engineer, who is carrying out regular experiments in his home in one of the suburbs? Rowland Ashworth’s plan may sound ambitious, but, then, he is an ambitious youth. When he says there is no reason why there should not be a regular service across the Tasman there are hundreds who will agree with him, and it is certain that he will not be scoffed at as an drearpej. It is all a matter of organization—and money. Money seems to be the all-important thing, for no such service could bo carried on without the right type of machine, and the right type is expensive. Rowland Ashworth proposes a fleet of four flying boats constructed to his own designs. He has already constructed a working model of his plane, which would have a wing span of 119 feet and a length of 90 feet. Each plane would be fitted with four ■ Siddeley Jaguar engines capable of developing a horse power of 500. Passengers embarking at Sydney could be landed in Auckland or Wellington, he says, at a cost of £lB a head.

Of course the danger of an ocean flight is a forced landing and that is why he proposes to employ flying boats which, he says would be able to alight on the roughest seas and remain safe. Then, each plane would carry wireless and in the event of need, assistance could be summoned. The fuel would be carried in the wings. So far so good. Ashworth has already submitted his plans and model to prominent airmen, and he says that they have expressed their confidence in his design. He nowhopes to raise a 'company to finance the scheme. He has already settled upon a name for'the company—Oceanic Airways—and now he wants the shareholders. His aim is to have the service in full swing next year.