ROYAL AIR FORCE

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20265, 6 August 1937, Page 8

ROYAL AIR FORCE

SECOND TO NONE. GREAT INCREASE IN BTRENQTH. DEFENCE AND COUNTER-ATTACK. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received August 6, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, August 5. The latest official figures of the Royal Air Force -strength in aircraft and personnel Indicate that the expansion programme is making very satisfactory progress. The new service stations and armament training camps already total 22. The strength of the metropolitan air force, the home defence units of the Army co-operation squadrons, and the coastal command is now 123 squadrons, equipped with 1542 first-line aircraft. This is an increase of 137 per cent, over the pre-expansion strength and approximately 200 aeroplanes less than the first-line total of the metropolitan air force strength envisaged for the end of the programme. Behind the ultimate total of 1750 first-line aircraft and 900 first-line aircraft of the overseas squadrons and the fleet air arm will be full war reserves of aircraft armament, equipment and supplies to Justify the claim that the Royal Air Force will be second to none In the strength of defence and counter-attack. Since April 1, 1935, approximately 3500 pilots have been selected for the service and 3100 have begun training. The total airmen entered since that date is 22,300.

A tremendous increase in striking power has been made available by the creation of new types of British fighting and bombing planes, squadron after squadron receiving bombing aeroplanes capable of great speeds and carrying bigger loads over the distances demanded by the strategy of home and Imperial protection.

The fighters are also more heavily armed, and are capable of speeds of well over 300 miles an hour.