PLANE AT LAST.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 39, 15 February 1929, Page 7

PLANE AT LAST.

MOIR AND OWEN

To Make Flight To Australia In Vickers Machine. GIANT BIPLANE. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 12 noon.) LONDON, February 14. As the outcome of lengthy negotiations, Vickers, Ltd., are placing at the disposal of Flight-Lieutenants Owen and Moir, the Australians who set out with Captain Hurley in an attempt to fly from Australia to England and back but who crashed at Athens and who are now desirous of returning to Australia by air, a Vickers Vellore biplane of all-metal construction.

The machine, technically, is regarded as one of the most interesting aircraft produced in recent times.

It has a wing span of 76 feet, a length of 51 feet, a height overall of 20 feet and weighs 45501b. It can carry a load of 49501b, making a total weight when fully loaded of 95001b.

It was built as a freight carrying machine and purchased by the Air Mirtistry. Vickers are fitting a new Armstrong-Siddeley Jaguar engine of 460 horse-power. This same type, introduced on the Imperial Airway's Lon-don-Paris route, is a considerable improvement on the type used by Sir Alan Cobham on his Australian flight. It has a geared propeller permitting the propeller to run slower than the engine.

The machine has a speed in excess of 100 miles an hour at a height of 5000 ft and a cruising speed of 80 to 85 miles an hour. It consumes approximately 20 gallons of benzine per hour.

Vickers are carrying out a fewspecial alterations for the purpose of the Australian flight. They are installing three petrol tanks, two in the wings to carry 81 gallons each and a large one in the fusilage to hold 350 gallons, making the total capacity 512 gallons.

There will also be a bed and a pneumatic mattress on which, the pilots will be able to rest when in the air. There is a brilliant electric light in the cabin ceiling. The electricity is supplied by a battery charged from the generator. Also a six-gallon tank for drinking water and a spare propeller have been installed.

Duralumin was employed throughout. The pilot's seat can be raised or lowered. When raised a remarkable view is given as the pilot is well above the engine. The 'plane is equipped with every conceivable aid to navigation, including a Vickers-Reid turn indicator in addition to a full set of illuminated night-flying instruments and navigation lights.

Should it be desired to occupy the whole of the available load with petrol the machine has a flying range considerably in excess of 2000 miles. It will be one of the largest and most interesting machines seen in Australia.

Flight-Lieutenants Moir and Owen are at present at Coventry, where the engine will be sent up as soon as possible. It was taken to Vickers works, Weybridge, Surrey, and fitted in th<> aeroplane. At present it is believed that everything is ready for a take-off at the end of the month.

The action of Vickers and Armstron«Sjddeley in placing the machine at the disposal of the airmen is a striking tribute to their faith in the abilitv of Moir and Owen. The Shell Companv has informed the Australian Pres*s Association that they were laying down supplies of oil and petrol throughout the whole route.