ATLANTIC FLIGHTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 75, 25 September 1937, Page 11

ATLANTIC FLIGHTS

THE BRITISH TESTS

REGULAR SERVICE PROSPECT

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, August 25.

The "Caledonia," one of the two Short monoplane flying-boats engaged on transatlantic experiments, reached Southampton at the conclusion of her second journey to New York and back. She crossed the North Atlantic from Newfoundland to the Foynes seaplane station, Ireland, in the record time of llhr 33min—twenty-four minutes less than her sister ship "Cambria" —arid averaged 173 m.p.h.

On her outward journey the "Caledonia" flew in daylight. Her previous crossing was made by night. The flight proved that radio communications between aircraft, shipping, and ground stations was not seriously affected by the more difficult conditions of daylight and throughout the crossing signals were satisfactorily received and sent at the normal scheduled intervals. A strong head wind, rising at times to nearly 60 m.p.h., slowed the ilying-boat which, nevertheless, reached the Botwood base, Newfoundland, within scheduled time 16A hours out from Foynes. At one time, to avoid thick cloud banks, Captain Wilcockson climbed to a height of 16,000 ft, which, incidentally, is approximately 5000 ft below her attainable ceiling.

Three more double crossings are likely by the two craft before winter ice closes down the Newfoundland seaplane base. The smooth efficiency with which every detail of the organisation has worked and the high speeds maintained in both directions give cause for optimism about the transatlantic services of the future, tempered by the reflection that aeroplanes and crews have yet to face the ocean in its worst winter moods. Nevertheless, there- appears no reason to suppose that the most formidable problems of winter, operation will not' be solved, and British air transport experts are looking forward with confidence to the inauguration of regular transatlantic passenger services perhaps late in 1939 and certainly in 1940.

Mail services will begin much sooner. By 1939 the vagaries of the ocean will be familiar to the airliner crews, and the new ' flying-boats, approximately twice the size* of the "Caledonia," will be ready for service. They will be considerably faster than their forerunners, cruising at 175 to 180 m.p.h. and ensuring thereby that the ocean crossing, even against the worst likely westerly winds, shall never take more than about fifteen hours. They will carry a big load of mails and at least twenty passengers in great comfort, with beds in- which to sleep, lounges for the daylight hours, plenty of room to move about, luxurious adjustable armchairs, and stewards to serve meals and drinks.

Probably the ocean crossing will be made during the night; the traveller will leave the Irish coast one evening, arrive in Montreal the' following morning, and in New York only twenty-four hours by the clock after departure from England. Coming east the help of prevailing winds will enable the twenty-four-hours' schedule from New York to be maintained, even though the- clock will be against the traveller.