World News in Story and Picture

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 24, 29 January 1938, Page 3 (Supplement)

World News in Story and Picture

R.A.F. DISPLAYS AT HENDON TO CEASE Developments In Aircraft

A decision to discontinue forthwith the uiinuui Koyal Air Force dibplaye at Hfndon in favour of the development of Empire Air Day us a link between the public and the Koyal Air Force has been announced bj the Air Ministry. —Cable. Since before the war the air dieplays wt Hendon in June have been among the foremost summer attractions for London visitors. They drew distinguished spectators from all over the world, as well a* from all part* of Great Britain. The attendance of last year, totalling ]79/>OO, gives ample proof of their popularity There are important reasons f.>r this •!<■< ision of the Air Ouncil. The pageant at Hendon used to afford piKrts final operations in training for the Air Force. Keren developments in power and speed have been bo great that 1 t'ther that aerodrome nor any other ir> «»uita!)id for the manoeuvres of modern eerviee aircraft. It Ls now no longer thought desirable that so much energy and time should be given over to prc[>uration for public spectacle. It is more necessary that the Royal .Mr Force should devote its efforts to training men for defence^

The authorities hope that ictivities for Empire Air Day will be extended &o nn to make up to the public for the discontinuance of the Hendon display, The Air Force pageant at Hendon has a remarkable' record, for only one airman ha<s met his death there since the commencement, and no sj>eelator has. ever been seriously hurt. Kvery vear several thousand pounds from the proceeds of the displays were allotted to Air Force charities. It is not expected that these charities will suffer, a« they will receive support from the proceeds of the Empire Air ]>.iy displays. The importance of the part to be played by the aeroplane in the defence of Great Britain i* fulljr re*-

Used. Since the armament programme wa« undertaken the first-line strength of the aircraft of the Royal Air Force and tbe air squadron» with the fleet hae more than doubled. 'J 'here has been an even greater increase in the strength of the Metropolitan Air Force, which hae expanded to almost three times its previous figure. Sew types of 'plance and new devices are continually being tested. One of the most interesting series of experiment* are those being made with the "pick-aback" flying boat— composite aircraft it ie called. The large flying boat hae perched on her back a smaller 'plane —a fourengined eeaplane. On the bull of the flying boat are built supports which fit into recesses in the fuselage of the seaplane. The first trial flight wtw * great eueceak

The next teet is a more difficult one, for then the small 'plane will be launched from the top of the mother craft at a height of 6000 ft, and the two 'plane* will fly separately. This k the flrsi aerial tug the world baa known and it is expected to bring important changes to longdistance flying. The smaller 'plane ie to be launched in mid-air with heavy loads after the larger craft hae given it a start from about 5000 ft. Sir Alan Cobham is helping to carry out another eeries of teete— for refuelling of aircraft in the eir. The teete have been made with the flying boat Cambria over Southampton. She wan refuelled when travelling about 150 Riilee an hour from a low-winded monoplane flying above her. The petrol was pumped from her tanke through a special pipeline lowered from the monoplane. Inventor* are busy in other countries, too. From France comes the new* of a craft which ie being constructed to work under the water as well as in the air. As a seaplane it would be able to travel 20 time* more quickly than a submarine, and yet H would be able to hide under the water. The French Government is helping the inventor, and nix machine* are to be constructed for training purpoee*.