BIG AIR LINER

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 111, 12 May 1934, Page 5

BIG AIR LINER

SCYLLA'S FIRST FLIGHT

The Scylla, a bigger load caivrier than any,air liner yet on regular service ou the world's air lines, has taken the air for the first time. She is one of two machines ordered from Messrs. Short Bros, by Imperial Airways. Her sister ship> Syrinx, is completed save for final assembly, says the "Daily Telegraph." Mr. Lankester Park, the firm's test pilot, took the Scylla up for the first flight. Major H. G. Brackley, of Imperial Airways, accompanied on the second flight.

Scylla and Syrinx aro four-engined ( 'Jupiters") biplanes, with accommodation for 38 passengers and a crow of four.

A comparison of this new type with the Heracles class of four-engined liners used by Imperial Airways shows that, as against the ail-on weight of 29,5001b of the Heracles, the Scylla has an allon weight of 32,000ib. The new machines will also be faster, the maximum speed being expected to exceed 135 miles an hour and their cruising speed about 105 miles an hour.

Both of the new machine are intended for the London-Paris service, over which the comfort and reliability of the big British aeroplanes have attracted the bulk of the passenger traffic for some time past.

The forward cabin of the Scylln is a smoking compartment for 12 passengers, while 12 seats are-fitted in the second cabin and 14 in the third. A noticeable feature in the design is the position of the fuselage beneath the biplane wings. Thus tho passengers are shielded from engine- aud air-screw noises, and hnvjj an outlook unhindered by parts of the structure.

The maximum range of s this new class, attained by a certain reduction of pa.sseiiffnrs and cargo load, is expected to bo about 700 miles.

A plague of bracken is menacing the slieep-raismg industry in Scotland. \ petition has been presented to the Secretary of btate tor Scotland for grants towards an extermination campaign. >.