Flight to Australia

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 589, 15 February 1929, Page 1

Flight to Australia

MOIR AND OWEN PREPARE Big Vickers Biplane Secured (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and 2V\Z. Press AssociationJ Received 11.45 a.m. LONDON, Thursday. AS an outcome of lengthy negotiations, Vickers, Ltd., are placing at the disposal of Flying-officer Moir and Flyingofficer Owen, Captain Frank Hurley’s companions, a VickersVellere biplane of all-metal construction. The machine is regarded as one of the most interesting types of aircraft produced in recent times.

The wing span is 76ft, length 51ft, height over all 20ft. The machine weighs 4,5501 b and carries a load of 4,9501 b, making a total weight, fully loaded, of 4 tons 4cwt 921 b. It was built as a freight-carrying machine and was purchased by the Air Ministry. Vickers are fitting a new ArmstrongSiddeley Jaguar engine of 460 horsepower.

by Sir Alan Cobliam in his Australian flight. It has a geared propeller, permitting the propeller to run slower than the engine. The machine has a speed of more than 100 miles an hour at a height of 5,000 ft. Its cruising speed is 80 to 85 miles an hour. It consumes approximately 20 gallons of petrol hourly. Vickers are carrying out a few special alterations for the purpose of the Australian flight, installing three petrol tanks, two in the wings of 81 gallons each, and a large one in the fusilage of 350 gallons, making a total capacity of 512 gallons. There will also be a bed and pneumatic mattress so the pilots will be able to rest in the air. There will be a brilliant electric light in the cabin ceiling. Electricity is supplied from a battery-charged generator. Also, there will be a sixgallon tank of drinking water, and a spare propeller. Duralumin will be employed throughout. The pilots’ seat can be raised or lowered. When it is raised, there is a remarkable view, as the pilot is well above the engine. The machine is equipped with every conceivable aid to navigation—the Vickers-Reid turn indicator, in addition to a full set of illuminated? nightflying instruments, and navigation lights. Should it be desired to occupy the whole available load with petrol, the machine has a flying range of considerably in excess of 2,000 miles. It will be one of the largest and most interesting machines seen in Australia.

This is the same type about to be introduced by Imperial Airways on the London-Paris route. It is a considerable improvement on the type used

Flying-Officers Moir and Owen are at present in Coventry, where the engine is being tuned up. Shortly it will be taken to the Vickers works at Weybridge, Surrey, and fitted to the airplane.

At present it is believed that everything will be ready to take off at the end of the month. The action of Vickers and Arm-strong-Siddeleys in placing the machine at their disposal is a striking tribute to their faith in the ability of Moir and Owen. The Shell Company has informed the Australian Press Association -that it is laying down supplies of oil and petrol throughout the whole route.