ANOTHER MISHAP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 187, 10 August 1939, Page 11

ANOTHER MISHAP.

EMPIRE FLYING BOAT.

Serious Scarcity Of Machines

Of Imperial Airways.

AUSTRALIA'S BOW DAMAGED

United Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received 9.30 a.m.)

LONDON, August 9,

A message from Basra states that the bow of (he Imperial Airways flying boat Australia, bound for Karachi troin Southampton, was stove in when the machine grounded when taking off. There were no casualties.

Regarding the serious shortage of machines owing to the rearmament programme restricting building for civil services, Imperial Airways, says a British official wireless message, in its statement yesterday, says the company will do all it can to rectify the position. It has been its policy in the past to look exclusively to British industry for equipment, but it has now ordered 4K American Cyclone engines of 1100 horsepower. and each of these will be fitted to the company's fleet of Ensign aircraft.

The company is also considering purchasing aircraft from abroad in order to meet immediate urgent needs.

The company intimated that, although statements that all passenger services had been cancelled were unauthorised, the chances of seats ou any route outward from England would be almost nil in the next few months. There would be a better chance of seats from Australia and from India, whence the mails would be lighter. No London-Auckland Passengers. It is hoped the Tasman flying boats will not be affected in so far as passengers from Sydney are concerned, but it will be almost impossible to carrv London-Auckland through passengers. The chief executive of the company. Mr. Leslie Runciman, told the Press to-day that it is trying to persuade the Air Ministry to allow long-range bombers manned by Royal Air Force -personnel to carry mails over certain sections of the Empire routes.

The Air Ministry declares that it is anxious to help Imperial Airways, but the question of using Royal Air Force bombers cannot be decided in a minute. It is considering the matter, and a statement will be issued in due course.

The German Press gives prominence to Imperial Airways decision, and declares that Germany not only produces civil aeroplanes for her own services midst her rearmament work, but exports them to Holland. Japan, Denmark, Finland and South America. U.S. FLYER FREED. WAS GAOLED BY FRANCO. (Received 12.M0 p.m.) ST. JEAN DE LUZ. August 9. An American airman, Mr. Harold Dalil. after two years in a Franco prison, was among 00 members of the International Brigade recently released.