FUTURE BRITISH AIRLINERS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25328, 30 October 1947, Page 3

FUTURE BRITISH AIRLINERS

CESSATION OF WORK OPPOSED BRABAZON AND SAUNDERS ROE FLYING-BOAT (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, October 29. The aeronautical correspondent of “The Times” says: “The news that the Government is considering abandoning the completion of the Bristol Brabazon airliner and the new Saunders Roe flying-boat has caused consternation in the British aircraft industry, jt is contended that if such a step is taken all hope will be lost of overtaking America’s long lead in heavy aircraft design. “A strong case can be made for the retention of at least two of the advanced types now under construction. One of these should be the flying-boat, for the Americans have now abandoned flying-boat construction and may be forced to revise their ideas as a result of the Bermuda Queen incident. “On the other hand, if the big flyingboat should not prove a success Britain should at least have one type of advanced landplane airliner with which to maintain her long-distance routes during the next few years. -One important argument put forward by representatives of the aircraft industry,” says the correspondent, “is that aircraft development has now reached a critical stage, when the world stands on the threshold of flight at supersonic speeds. At such a juncture it is not only imperative that Britain should continue research but that the British aircraft industry should be able to keep abreast of the latest technique.”