TASMAN SERVICE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 295, 26 September 1935, Page 7

TASMAN SERVICE

BRITISH FLYING-BOATS. MOST MODERN TYPE PLANNED. KINGSFORD SMITH’S SERVICE. (United Press Association—Copyright). (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, (September 25.

Sikorsky flying-boats, which are manufactured in England, will be employed ‘li the trans-Tasman service if Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s negotiations with the Pacific Trust are successful.

Mr (Stephenson (a director of the Trust) informed the Associated Press that the flying-boats, which are better than the Imperial Airways ’planes, as recently announced, will be ready in the autumn of 1936.

IMPERIAL AIRWAYS ’PLANES.

SEVEN DAYS TO AUSTRALIA.

(Received This Day, 1.35 p.m.) LONDON, September 25

Imperial Airways further announce that their flying-boats will have four engines, and spacious cabins fitted with sleepers. It is estimated that night flying will easily ensure a seven-day service to Australia, also that the range, will permit the inclusion of Niew Zealand. _ The opinion is expressed! that 100 hours will provide a wide margin for all halts, refuelling, and delays due to the weather.

A London cablegram published on Tuesday stated: Imperial Airways are ordering a fleet of flying-boats, each of 17v tons, with a range of 1500 miles and a speed of nearly 200 miles an hour, for the main Empire routes. The new flying-boats, which will be highwing monoplanes, with double deck cabins, will be 30 per cent, larger, and from 50 to 60 per cent, faster than the biggest existing Empire ’plane. The first are expected about the middle of 1936. It is understood that 16 have been ordered.

THE PACIFIC LINE SCHEME,

NO COMPETITOR WITH EMPIRE

(Received This Day, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 25

While the Pan-American line’s negotiations in New Zealand are watched from London, the suggestion that they necessitate an Imperial Conference _ is hot confirmed. It is pointed out that such service would not compete with the route through Australia, because even when connected with Britain across the Atlantic it would be too costly for both passengers and mails.