VICKERS VIKING AIRCRAFT

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25177, 7 May 1947, Page 6

VICKERS VIKING AIRCRAFT

HIGH QUALITIES AS AIRLINER NEW STANDARDS SET FOR N.Z. . TRAVEL (By Our Aviation Correspondent.) New standards for air travel in New Zealand have been set by the Vickers Viking commercial airliner whichis now touring the South Island. The first truly post-war British civil aircraft to come here. It combines comfort. speed, and economy of operation to a degree hitherto unknown on the Dominion’s internal airlines. - Vickers-Armstrongs. Ltd., who built the Viking, did not bring it to New Zealand to sell it, but to show a British commercial aircraft where American machines have largely dominated the scene for some years. Those who have inspected the Viking and flown in it are convinced of the truth of the saying "Britain can make it” as applied to aircraft. The Viking is not a cheap aircraft—in New Zealand it would cost about £so,ooo—but at that price it is probably one of the most economical means of air transport for a load of almost four tons over distances between 500 and 600 miles that has yet been achieved.

American Aircraft Whether Vikings will be placed in service on New Zealand airlines, for which they seem admirably suited, depends on a change in policy by the National Airways Corporation, which has decided to use American aircraft in the expansion of its services until it can obtain suitable British aircraft. The total cost of the Dakota aircraft taken over from the Royal New Zealand Air Force will be approximately £21,000 each when they have been converted for civil use, and the Lodestars purchased in Australia for about £lO,OOO each will need extra expenditure to adapt them for service in New Zealand. If spare parts are required they must be bought with dollars from the funds that the Dominion must conserve at present. One reason given for the National Airways Corporation’s decision not to purchase new equipment immediately has been that New Zealand s needs would put her at the bottom of the list of customers for British aircraft, and that by the time her order was filled new and better types would have been delivered. But sufficient Vikings will be available for delivery in the later months of this year. Also, industrial conditions in Britain at present, and the time taken to develop new aircraft, make it unlikely that anything vastly better will be available when the corporation decides to replace its present fleet . ' A foretaste of what air travel in New Zealand could be with aircraft designed primarily to carry passengers in the utmost comfort, and to make transport by air more attractive than any other form, was given to those who travelled in the Viking from Christchurch to Dunedin and back yesterday. They flew from Harewood to Taieri in 70 minutes and returned in 50 minutes, but they were more impressed with the comfort than the speed of the aircraft, which cruised at 222 miles an hour. Adjustable Seats The Viking is not a particularly attractive aircraft from the outside, and there is nothing revolutionary in its design. But its passenger cabin, divided into two compartments, is high and loomy. The adjustable seats, which have head-rests and concealed reading lamps, are as deep and comfortable as armchairs. Luggage racks extend the whole length of the two compartments, there is room at the rear of the aircraft for passengers to hang their coats, and smoking is permitted in flight. The cabin can be heated or cooled as desired, and there is ample room to move about. A breakfast of stewed fruit, bacon, scrambled eggs, and grilled tomatoes was served on board tne Viking when it flew from Paraparaumu to Harewood on Saturday, and yesterday the passengers had morning tea and light lunch on the flight between Christchurch and Dunedin. The meals were served from the compact but wellequipped pantry—it has an icebox and an electric water heater —at the rear of the, aircraft. Trays were placed by the flight steward on the metal arms which swing out from the sides of the single seats or on the trays which pull out from the small tables between the pairs of seats. Proof of the high quality of British aircraft production is the fact that for all its comfort and detailed attention to passengers’ needs, the Viking is a model straight off the production line, without one modification for its flight from England to New Zealand. While Britain continues to make aircraft as good as the Viking, there is no fear that she .will lose her high place in international civil aviation.