USE OF FLYINGBOATS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25090, 23 January 1947, Page 6

USE OF FLYINGBOATS

SURVEY OF CONDITIONS IN NEW ZEALAND VISIT BY SIR JOHN, BUCHANAN (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 22. The former Director-General of Aircraft Production for the British Government during the last war and a prominent figure in the British aircraft industry, Sir John Buchanan has arrived by flying-boat from Sydney. “I am here to find out what operating conditions are like in New Zealand, and what type of aircraft can be Used to suit local requirements, and to see how our company can meet the needs,” said Sir John Buchanan, who is technical director of Short Brothers. His tour was also undertaken to gain pftictical experience and information on the operation of Tasman and Empire flying-boats, as it was extremely important for a manufacturer to know how the aircraft were used. “One of the merits of flying-boats is that they save the enormous costs of constructing aerodromes, and here in New Zealand, where there are such fine water landing facilities, there are great opportunities for the use of fly-ing-boats,” he said. His company expected that one of their aircraft, a twin-engined amphibian named Sealand, which was now under construction, would suit New Zealand conditions, he added. Sir John Buchanan is accompanied by Mr W. H. Hambrook, chief project engineer of Short Brothers, and Mr G. 4?uddicombe, technical representative of-the company for New Zealand. He will fly to Wellington to-morrow to meet the directors of Tasman Empire Airways, and will also have discussions with National Airways and civil aviation authorities.