BRITAIN’S AIR PROGRESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 604, 5 March 1929, Page 11

BRITAIN’S AIR PROGRESS

ESTIMATES EXPLAINED MODERN SAFETY DEVICES British Official "Wireless RUGBY, Monday. The Secretary of State for Air, Sir Samuel Ho&re, in submitting the air estimates in the House of Commons (£16,200,000), stated that, notwithstanding the growth of the Royal Air Force and civil aviation, none of the votes showed any very notable variation. The present strength of the force was equivalent to about 73 squadrons, of which eight were on the cadre or auxiliary basis. In the past year two squadrons had been added to the Indian establishment. Two new units of flying boats had been formed, and one new flight had been provided for the Fleet air arm. In 1929 it was intended to add the equivalent of seven new squadrons. The increased reliability of aircraft and aeronauts now in the service had rendered it possible still further to reduce the provision for aircraft and engine spare parts by £156,000. As regards safety devices, the Minister said the fitting of automatic slots to service aircraft was proceeding rapidly. A parachute was now provided for each machine in the service which was capable of carrying it, except sea-going aircraft. A new design of a quick release attachment for use in the latter type of machine had been tried out. but it required further development before it could finally be pronouncel suitable. In 1928 six lives were by the use of parachutes. The airship tower which the Canadian Government undertook to erect at the last Imperial Conference' had now been completed at St. Hubert air port. Montreal. The site for an airship base at Groutville. near Durban, had been acquired by the Government of South Africa. A shed at Karachi had been erected. The construction of a mooring tower at Karachi by the Government of India was making erood progress.. It should be finished this summer.