SPEEDY AIRCRAFT

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 52, 25 November 1930, Page 9

SPEEDY AIRCRAFT

New R.A.F. Machines DEFENCE OF LONDON Record Order Placed Uy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. London, November 23. The “Sunday Times” says that, aiming at the re-equipment of several sections of the Air Force with squadrons of the world’s fastest aircraft, the Air Ministry has placed a record single order with the Hawker Engineering Company. It comprises two hundred Hawker Fury single-seater fighters with a speed of more than two hundred miles an hour, and Hawker Hart reconnoissance bombers. CLIMBING POWER Remarkable Claims Made SECURITY OF BRITAIN (“Times” Cables) (Rec. November 24, 0 p.m.) London, November 23. The Hawker Fury “interceptor” fighter is the most remarkable aircraft put into service, and Is an answer to the Hawker Hart day bomber which, in recent manoeuvres, demonstrated the danger to which London Is exposed in wartime. The Hawker Hart at a height of 15,000 feet has a top speed of 153 miles per hour, barely ten miles less than the fastest fighter raiders, which might not be found until they had passed over the coast. They would then be over London in twenty minutes, leaving no time for the defenders to go up and find the invaders. On the other hand, Fury has a top speed well exceeding 200 miles per hour. At 15,000 feet, to which it climbs in eight minutes, it could reach a likely height to intercept raiders at least 20 miles from London, when its speed and powers of manoeuvre would enable it to bring down or head off the assailants. It is expected that at least 250 Furies and Harts will be ordered .to complete the requirements of the Home squadrons within fifteen months, when six squadrons will be equipped with Furies and four with Harts. A number also are going to the Fleet air arm in Home waters, replacing the slowest types. The changes assure that Britain will be equipped with fighters capable of dealing with any possible attack, while her bombers and scouts will at least be equal to other nations, ALL-METAL PLANES Advances in Design "PERFECT STREAMLINE” The order to the Hawker Engineering Company exceeds in magnitude any prel vious peace-time order, and marks the commencement of a re-equipment which will, when completed, place the Royal Air Force ahead of all other nations in first line day squadrons. The Hawker Fury is a single-seater day fighter, and the Hart a two-seater day bomber. Both machines are of metal construction. and both are powered by RollsRoyce water-cooled engines. These craft approach the perfect streamline form- more closely than any other service machines, and the designers owe much to the experience gained in the Schneider Trophy race. At the recent air exercises, the Harts, which have been in limited production since April, were able to outelimb and outmanoeuvre the fighters which were to catch and destroy them, and this, no doubt, is one of the factors which prompted the Air Ministry to their present action. Tho unner wings of both machines are near the level of the pilot’s eyes, so as to give a maximum of vision. Both craft carry two machine-guns in the bow, and the Hart has one on a ring mounting, in the rear cocknit. Heavy bombers are at present being developed in secret, the design being an entirely new one. nnd it is anticipated that on completion of the re-equipment order for day craft, a similar order ior night bombers will be plaeetl.