ROYAL AIR FORCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 March 1937, Page 7

ROYAL AIR FORCE

TREBLED AND REARMED RECORD ESTIMATES [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] (Recd. March 16, 2 p.m.) RUGBY, March 15. The largest Air Estimates ever presented to Parliament were introduced in the Commons by Sir P. Sassoon (Under-Secretary for Air). The net estimates total £82,500,000, including loan provision, which compares with the average figure of some £18,000,000 asked for by the Ministry, in pre-ex-pansion years. It shows an increase of nearly £32,000,000 on the total estimates of 1936.

The expansion in no way meant the abandonment of the hope of securing an air pact and the general stabilisation of air armaments, said Sir P. Sassoon. Air Force expansion meant practically trebling the force, as well as rearming it with modern equipment. During the coming financial year, they intend to train 1175 pilots. The position with regard to airmen was equally satisfactory. During 1936, they planned to recruit over 11,000 airmen, including 2656 apprentices and boy entrants. The present figures indicated that the hopes would be fully realised. They hoped to recruit a slightly larger number during the coming year. Referring to Dominion co-operation, he said that there was in operation a scheme whereby pilots were trained as cadets in the Royal Australian Air Force, and then served a term with the Air Force in this country. Afterwards, they reverted to the Royal Australian Air Force reserve. New Zealand was establishing similar schemes, and also a system whereby candidates who applied for the Royal Air Force were medically examined locally. The Government would welcome the adoption of a similar system in Canada, from which Dominion no fewer than 100 young men had come on their own, and had been accepted foP short-ser-vice commissions.

After dealing with the satisfactory prgoress made regarding aerodromes, works, and buildings, Sir P. Sassoon passed on to the problems of production, and of the adequate supply of equipment. Except for the larger aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm, the monoplane, which approached most nearly to the ideal streamline form, had almost entirely replaced the biplane. By continuous attention to details, such as surface smoothness, the air resistance of the latest aircraft have been greatly reduced. The net result was that the striking power of the new types far surpassed that of the corresponding types two years ago. Active research and development were continually in progress, with a view to obtaining machines of even greater speed, range, and load capacity. Two new guns had been introduced for use on aircraft. One was a completely new type of Vickers gun. The other was a Browning gun, which had the merit of simplicity, and gave greatly improved performance for aerial use.. Arrangements had been made foiits manufacture in this country. Active research was being continued, to exploit still further the advantages of higher quality fuel. Finally, over the whole field of aircraft components, accessory equipments, wireless apparatus, and warlike stores generally, great emphasis was being placed on the standardisation of types and simplicity of design, with the object of assisting quantity production. The Air Ministry was doing its utmost to expedite the production of aircraft. They were aiming at reducing the number of types. Satisfactory progress was being made with the erection of factories, both for the production of air-frames and aero engines. A careful review was being made of the requirements in raw materials, of which there ■would be a risk of shortage in time of war. Arrangements had already been made for purchasing reserve stocks of certain essential products. Provision was also being made for obtaining adequate reserves of petrol and oil, and for storing them in places least accessible to air attack.

In reviewing developments in British external civil air communications, Sir P. Sassoon said that the present scheme should be in working order at| the beginning of 1938, whereafter all first-class mail from the United Kingdom to Empire countries on the Empire air routes would be carried by air on a flat rate of IBd per half ounce, that being the current preferential Empire postage rate. Concerning the proposed North Atlantic service, the formidable task of providing the necessary ground organisation and equipment was being actively pursued, and bases for both land and marine aircraft were in hand by the Governments concerned. Four-engined high-speed land machines were on the point of completion, with which it was hoped to operate the experimental service before the end of this year. A fleet of speciallydesigned flying boats should be availabale in 1938“.

During a rambling debate, Mr. Montague (Labour) said that the people would fight in the country’s defence, but not for mandates. The common people of Britain would not murder even Germans wholesale, for the sake of a splash of tropical red. CANADIAN POLICY. VANCOUVER, March 15. The Government, announces that 150 Canadian licensed pilots have left to join the Air Force in England. The university students’ peace delegation urges that a declaration should be made, that Canada, is not at war when Britain is. The Secretary of State (Mr. Fernand Rinfret) declares that the policy is to consult Parliament. Without the consent of Parliament, the country cannot be committed.