ANOTHER AEROPLANE
PONTOON TYPE ORDERED
(By Telegraph.)
(Special to "The Evening Post.")
AUCKLAND, This Day.
Plans for bringing to New Zealand in about two months' time a Fairchild pontoon aeroplane, similar to that now; being used in the Polar regions, for, experimental flights in the Dominion before it is sent to Commander Byrd in the Antarctic are announced by My. H. G. Brophy, second in command of the expedition.
Mr. Brophy said that the aerial strength of the expedition was to be increased by bringing from America another of the great Pairchild pontoon aeroplanes, a duplicate of that . noiv being flown in the Antarctic by Commander Byrd. The suitability of Auckland for the flying of such a. machine had prompted his decision to have it brought here for the first of the extensive series of experimental flights, which later would probably, include a complete aerial tour of the New Zealand coast. The objective is to test the macliino thoroughly by; extensive flying of such a water-base machine into the Polar regions for; actual exploration work.
"Now Zealand with so few landinggrounds is not as yet suited to wheeled machines," said Mr. Brophy. "The ideal typo of aeroplane for this country, would be tho amphibian, fitted with both wheels and floats, either of which can be brought into use by pulling a. lever, but they arc essentially power-fully-engined and very expensive aircraft. Even with a pontoon machine, howovor, a large gliding range is available in which to reach water in the ovont of mechanical failure, and ia New Zealand you have a very lengthy: coast lino. I propose to Ay right round your country."
The City of New York, after returning to Dunedin for the winter, would probably require docking for repairs, after which she would visit Lyttelton, AVellington, Auckland, Suva, Honolulu, Tahiti, Melbourne, and Sydney. In tho South Seas she would be employed in sonic depth-finding and general oceanography, for which she was splendidly equipped.,,
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 27, 1 February 1929, Page 8
Word Count
325ANOTHER AEROPLANE Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 27, 1 February 1929, Page 8
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