NEW AND EFFICIENT AEROPLANES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 149, 19 March 1936, Page 9

NEW AND EFFICIENT AEROPLANES

Expansion of British Force DOUBLING STRENGTH IN- “ TWO YEARS (British Official Wireless.) ■ (Received March 18, 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, Marcli 17, In a House of Commons speech on Hie Air Estiniales, which total £39.009,000, an increase of £13,013,000 over last year's, and the largest which Parliament has been asked to vote since the war, the Under-Secretary for Air, Sir Philip Sassoon, revealed that the Royal Air Force had a single-seater fighter which lias achieved a speed of well over 300 miles an hour. Another, which has just begun its flying trials, was confidently expected to give at least the same speed. The former type would now go straight into production and would be the fastest aircraft of this category in service in the world. Sir Philip Sassoon disclosed that another key type was the medium bomber, of which several outstandingly promising types were about to enter largescale production. Out of 50 essential new aerodromes, sites for 29 had-'been acquired or were in process of acquisition. A total of 15,700 out; of 25.000 personnel required within two years had been obtained.

He explained that as a result of the modification of the programme announced last May in the light of developments abroad, metropolitan squadrons would ultimately be increased to 129, with a first-line strength of approximately 1750, and a further 12 squadrons would be formed for duties overseas. By the end of the next financial year the first-line strength of the Royal Air Force would have been doubled in the short space of two years. lie did not think any fighting service had ever been set a comparable task in time of peace.

Britain’s fighting strength was adequate and very efficient on present calculations, while adequate reserves and machines were forthcoming and plans had been prepared for a large output of frames, engines and component parts from civil industry. Two motor firms, the Austin and Rootes companies, the latter controlling the Humber and Hillman concerns, had been, public spirited in giving the Government the benefit of their production experience. The Air Force, in general, would be second to none in equipment. Nevertheless, the Government was not abandoning hope of a Western Europe air pact with eventually a wider scope. Air forces balanced by international agreement might be most powerful guardians of law and order, proving the nearest approach to international air police which some members desired. _ , ■ In a review of civil aviation, r>ir Philip Sassoon stated that in connection with plans , for a trans-Atlantic service the aim was to make an experimental beginning.-this year if possible, and. at the latest, early next ■Negotiations were still proceeding with Australia and Britain, and he was hopeful of a mutually satisfactory agreement. The mileage of Imperial air routes had increased from 8320 four years ago to 21,243. When projected services were operating the mileage would be 51,405, exclusive of Dominions’ .internal routes. FAST PRODUCTION Great Scientists Working On New Designs London, March 17. Lord Swinton, Air Minister, opening the debate in the House of Lords on the White Paper on, defence, said that Britain in the next three years aimed at having delivered more machines than had reached the Air Force during the seventeen years since the war. The new machines possessed a range, speed and performance incomparable with tliose of last year. Some of . the greatest scientists in Britain were working wholeheartedly in that connection. There was no doubt regarding Britain’s potential resources and staying power, but they must be available in time. Lord Ponsonby, opposing the adoption of the White Paper, expressed the opinion that Lord Swinton’s speech was terribly reminiscent of pre-war debates. If Britain possessed greater armaments it might make the present situation much darker. The debate was adjourned. ANTI-AIRCRAFT SHIPS New Floating Fortresses London, March 17. The “News-Chronicle’s” naval correspondent says that although the details are confidential, two anti-aircraft ships similar to tliose Admiral Sir Dudley de Chair disclosed, are already in service. Thev consist of reconstructed cruisers which have been transformed into fortresses capable of an overwhelming fire against either antiaircraft or other warships. Two such vessels with a fleet are likely to lie a greater menace to enemy aircraft than tile later would be to the fleet. Moreover, battleships’ and cruisers’ existing anti-aircraft armaments are adequate for repelling air attack. Speaking on the Naval Estimates, Sir Dudley de Chair said the Admiralty had constructed an anti-aircraft t>hip which was callable of a terrific volume of fire in defence of a harbour or other ships.