AIR STRENGTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 302, 22 December 1933, Page 8

AIR STRENGTH.

BRITAIN'S PLACE. ALL-ROUND EFFICIENCY. THE TECHNICAL, MENACE. Although Great Britain is only the . fifth Air Power in numerical strength, she has been, and still in some respects is, first as regards technique 'and allround service efficiency, stated the London "Observer's" air correspondent recently. The Air Ministry, in accordance with periodical practice, recently released for publication details of certain types of aeroplanes and engines in Britain. The list is chiefly of technical interest. Four or five years ago the success of a new series of water-cooled engines and of high-speed fighters and bombers designed for them startled the world. It was then perfectly clear that other countries would be stirred to activity, but it was equally clear that they could not overtake Great Britain in less than four or five years. They appear to be steadily closing the gap. There is little difference now in performance between our standard fighters and day bombers and those recently undergoing trials in France, but we have the advantage of a lead of three years in operational experience with the now types; and recent improvements will enable us to keep performance at least on a level with our rivals. The Call For Economy. Owing to the need for economy the Air Ministry has been compelled to "mark time" as regards certain experimental • work. Meanwhile, for many months the discussion of air armaments aggravated inactivity. It is significant that Great Britain has lost her world air records. Of 101 records recognised by the International Federation, Great Britain no longer holds one. Certainly a frenzied struggle for world records is not desirable; records ought to be incidental to research, not their motive. Yet we must r.oi forget that the highspeed research stimulated by the Schneider Trophy contest proved of the greatest value and, emphasised by our victory, helped British manufacturers in world markets. The success of the great Italian formation flying-boat cruise to America and back was a demonstration of the fact that Great Britain has no monopoly in progress. Italy also took our speed records. ' But in the design of the larger flying boats and in their operation Great Britain keeps a strong position. Formidable rivalry now comes from the United States. Great Britain is unavoidably handicapped by comparison with a country which appears to possess unlimited resources. There has been no "marking time" in the U.S.A. The States, too, htfve the advantage of great opportunities for commercial aircraft and inland air lines. It is obvious that their 7330 licensed commercial air vehicles afford a much richer opportunity for technical progress than Britain's 981. Marking Time Should End. Great Britain has developed big multi-engine, comfortable, safe, but comparatively slow passenger aircraft, and she has nothing i to compare with the enormous fleet of high-speed mail American machines. In this class we have two new types suitable to modern demands, but these are still in the experimental stage. A very important London-Melbourne air race is to be held next October, and it seems only too likely that foreign machines will win, a result which would naturally gratify our rivals.