AVIATION.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20036, 18 September 1930, Page 11

AVIATION.

BUSY BRITISH INDUSTRY.

FLYING-BOATS FOR FRENCH NAVY.

(MITIBK OITICIAI. WIREIJSS.)

(Received September 17th, 5.5 p.m.)

RUGBY. September 16.

The latest figures show that Great Britain is already exporting more aircraft and air engines than any other country. Not only are British light aoroplanes being sold all over the world, but the industry is busy with orders for the big muiti-engined aeroplanes and flying-boats Striking nroof of the esteem in which British aircraft is held overseas was provided when France, although herself one of the leading aircraft producing countries, ordered, after extensive tests, British flying boats with British engines for her naval air service.

The largest and most powerful water-cooled and air-cooled engines yet in production are now being made in Great Britain, and it is stated that much of the recent advance in British design is due to the incorporation of lessons learned in the building of the racing machines which won for Great Britain the Schneider Trophy and enabled her to establish the world's air speed record of 357.7 miles per hour.

Manufacturers are experiencing rush orders from overseas, and they believe that the world is on the eve of a great advance in aviation. FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA. CAPTAIN MATTHEWS SETS OUT. (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIKELESS.) RUGBY, September 10. Captain F. J. Matthews, an instructor at the London Aero Club, at dawn to-day left Croydon on a solo flight to Australia, in an attempt to lower Mr Bert Hinkler's 154 days' record for the journey. Four other British airmen are preparing to attack Hinkler's record shortly. Captain Matthews, who has had eight years' flying experience, is using a new Puss Moth single-seater cabin machine, of the standard type, equipped with extra tankage, enabling him to carry 100 gallons. He hopes thus to be able to make longer hops (of from 1500 to 2000 miles) than was possible when Hinkler flew in a Moth machine of the earlier pattern.

Captain Matthews, who is carrying a rifle with him in case of emergency, is without goggles, helmet, or other flying kit. He hopes to reach Sofia non-stop to-day, and continue via Aleppo, Bagdad, Bunder Abbas, Jodnpur, Calcutta, Bankok, Rmbong, to Port Darwin. VIENNA, September lu.. Matthews passed eastward at »« o'clock this evening. AUSTRALIAN FLYER KILLED PREPARING FOR PAGEANT. (Received September 17th, 9.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, September 17. Mr Dave Smith who recently attempted a flight to England, was killed cat Mascot Aerodrome this afternoon. His aeroplane was seen to bo in trouble at a height of 300 feet. His mangled body was recovered 50 yards from the spot where the machine crasched in pieces. Mr Smith, who was quite a young man, was trying out a speedy Tiger Moth for Saturday's air pageant when, it was believed, the engine seized, hurling him out at a height of 300 feet. His body struck and smashed a fo'ir-inch beam in an old shed, then crasned to the ground. The machine was buried nearly five feet m a local nursery adjoining the aerodrome. Messrs Smith and H. W. Shiers attempted a flight to England last March, but wore forced down in a ricefield near Bangkok on April 25th, when the flight was abandoned. They were forced down near Wvndhnm in a lonely locality.

BROMLEY'S FLIGHT ABANDONED.

(Received September 17th, 7.45 p.m.)

TOKIO, September 18

Lieutenant Harold Bromley has definitely abandoned his flight across tbo Pacific to Tacoma (U.S.A.) fcr this year.