Modern Aircraft

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 34, 3 November 1934, Page 9

Modern Aircraft

Sir,—lt seems as though one or two of your correspondents are gently slipping out of (he air race controversy and are finding shelter in an attempt to discuss various nations’ aircraft. It is true that British pilots have blazed the long range routes practically world wide, but only one or two Americans of note have as yet shown the way to break records. Light British aircraft have proven their worth. Britain’s commercial planes are flying over some of the longest and most difficult routes in the world, and her companies are facing strong international political opposition as well as having a very poor geographical position. But in these services comfort and reliability are. given preference to speed, and these, with a 99 per cent, and a 99.9 per cent, efficiency. As these services expand we expect a steady increase in speed and will get it. I was pleased to see that “Unbiased” was very well answered in this morning’s paper re the records. It might be added that Britain has abandoned the high speed flight for three years, in which time America has not caught up. The Vickers Vespa which gained the altitude record was five years old, and the Bristol Pegasus engines have made no fewer than a dozen stratosphere flights. The “Wasp” iu the Winnie-Mae could not stand one I Britain’s military machines stand alone in their performances. Her “s.s.” planes which do up to 275 m.p.h. are certainly above any of foreign make. So far as the heavy machines are concerned, they are either just as fast or in some cases a little slower, but possess military advantages which greatly offset the slight difference in speed. A bomber must be fast on the ground as well as in the air. Your correspondent mentions the various American high speed planes used on air lines, and would possibly have us believe they are ideal England-Australia planes. The .Douglas and Boeing are the only two and then, the capacity is small compared with the comfort which is necessary on long flights. It is all right being fair-minded, but it is necessary to think deeply and use a little Common judgment also.—l am, etc. NEW ZEALANDER. Wellington, November 1.

Sir, —J have read with interest and some amusement the letters of "Fairminded” and “Unbiased.” The trend of both letters is so similar that one might be forgiven for wondering if they were not'written by the one author; if they were not. it means two acute cases of Anglophobia instead of one. The Americans were foremost in ungrudging praise of Messrs. Scott and Black and their machine; the French proclaimed the feat “magnifique,” the Dutch were unsparing in the credit they gave to the winning plane and crew. It remained, apparently, for Britishers to attempt to. minimise the magnificent performance of British pilots and machines. Doubtless “Fair-minded” and "Unbiased” are expert airmen, since they so confidently assert the inferiority of British aircraft; their technical knowledge should be invaluable to the De Havilland Co., while their sentiments should easily procure them a post on the staff of the “Angreiff.” One cannot imagine an American belittling the performance of Mr. Vanderbilt, or the Italians comparing Agello and his machine unfavourably with the winner of the Schneider Trophv. But- we British are a queer race.-I am, etc.. HEIGH h<) Waipawa, November 1.