EMPIRE’S AIR DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 39, 9 November 1938, Page 11

EMPIRE’S AIR DEFENCE

Lessons Of Bombers’ Record Flight POSSIBILITY OF NEW METHODS SHOWN Australia Can Rely On Help From Britain (Independent Cable Service.' (Received November 8, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 8. The Air Ministry, in announcing the success of the Wellesley bombers record nonstop flight from Ismailia, Egypt, to Darwin, Australia. said:

“High praise is due to Squadron Leader Kellett and his personnel for their piloting and navigation, to Wing Commander Gayford for his organization, and to the makers of the aircraft, the engines, and the equipment for their share in the achievement.

The world’s record was broken by approximately 300 miles by one aircraft and subsequently increased to 856 bv the two others."

The Press is most jubilant at the bombers’ success. The "Evening News" says that tiie flight is a contribution of the utmost importance to the Empire and air defence, proving that Austr<»lia can rely on early help from tiie bomber squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Tiie “Daily Express” says that the people of the United States should be more interested in the R.A.F. nonstop Hight than any other nation. South America is only 2000 miles from Africa, and Americans are now within the sphere of war terror." Reinforcing Garrisons. The “Daily Telegraph’s” aeronautical correspondent, Group Captain Payne, said that the flight had shown tiie possibilities of new methods of Empire defence and the feasibility of reinforcing the garrisons of tiie Dominion forces with aircraft flown from England.

It had also re-emphasized that Britain could not neglect, the strategical advantage conferred by establishing aircraft and munitions factories in the Dominions where they would be immune from a European air attack. He quoted an American expert’s view that an enemy could wipe out Britain’s aircraft factories at the outset of hostilities.

Wing Commander Gayford, organizer of the flight, broadcasting from Ismaiiia, said that the result was most satisfying. The record should stand for some time.

He revealed that their progress for the first 2-1 hours was ahead of expectations, but, after passing Borneo, storms delayed (lie planes and wasted petrol. Sir Kingsley Wood. Air Minister, sent the following telegram to Squadron Leader Kellett: “Most hearty congratulations on your magnificent achievement. Your success has been due to the excellence of.tbe personnel, the aircraft and ihe engines, and called for high qualities of leadership and organization. Please convey the congratulations of the Air Council to all concerned.” PERFECT LANDING AT DARWIN Unfavourable Conditions After Singapore DARWIN, November 7. The two leading bombers came out of a bank of cloud and made a perfect landing. They taxied to the hangars as casually .as airliners.

The crews stepped out and modestly acknowledged applause and a hearty welcome by the Northern Territory Administration and local and visiting members of the Royal Air Force. Then they made a cursory examination of the giant motors. The flying time of the first two machines was approximately 4S hours 5 minutes, breaking the Russian pilots’ record by 85G miles. Unfavourable conditions and head winds were encountered from Singapore. The Royal Aero Club of Egypt carried out the preliminary formalities for the flight, including the official observance of the departure. Application will be made in due course to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale for confirmation of the record. Excellent Flight. Squadron Leader Kellett, who led the flight, told interviewers that he was not privileged to comment on the flight beyond saying that it was an excellent one. The crews showed little sign of the exhausting flight, but were appreciably sun-tanned. The three bombers will remain at Darwin for about four days before resuming the journey south. The itinerary includes Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, after which the machines will be completely overhauled at Richmond aerodrome under I lie supervision of a British advance party of engineers who awaited the arrival of the bombers at Darwin and will travel with an escort of Australian Air Force planes which is already at Darwin. ATTEMPT ON WORLD SPEED RECORD DARWIN, November 7. A member of the crew of one of the bombers said (bat a Royal Air Force Spitfire plane next month would attempt. a new world speed record of 500 miles an hour.