AMPHIBIAN 'PLANE

Evening Post, Issue 86, 8 October 1936, Page 11

AMPHIBIAN 'PLANE

VISIT TO RONGOTAI

NEW COOK STRAIT MACHINE

The Supermarine Walrus amphibian belonging to H.M.S. Achilles, .which flew non-stop from Auckland yesterday, left Rongotai at 10.45 a.m. today. It

was piloted by Lieutenant F. Coode, the balance of the flying crew being Lieutenant Smallwood and Corporals Walsh and Joll.

The machine is the first amphibian to land at Rongotai, and is powered by a nine-cylinder radial Bristol Pegasus engine driving a "pusher" air-screw. The wheels are retracted into recesses in the lower wings when the machine is used as a flying-boat. Although its speed is not very high—under 100 ■miles.per hour—the.Walrus is regarded as being of great value for certain defence purposes, and the type is being ordered in quantity by the Royal Australian Air Force.

The new. D.H. Rapide, just acquired by Cook, Strait Airways, which was ; successfully tested at Nelson yesterday by Captain G. Bolt, chief pilot and engineer of the C.S.A. staff, made its first flight from Nelson via Blenheim to Rongotai, this morning, carrying passengers. It was in the charge of Fly-ing-Officer R. Matteson. It returned to Blenheim later in the morning, and made another trip to Rongotai in the afternoon. The two other machines on this service are called Jupiter and Venus. No decision has yet been reached as to the name of the new aeroplane. • ■

The wireless equipment was tested yesterday and maintained, touch throughout the trial flight with the Nelson, Blenheim, and Wellington wireless stations.