TODORS DISCARDED

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 November 1946, Page 8

TODORS DISCARDED

MACHINES FOR EMPIRE AIR ROUTES

[Prom A. W. MITCHELL, N.Z.P.A. London Correspondent.]

LONDON, Nov. 22.

With the certainty that the Avro Tudor II aircraft will not be used, after all, on the England-Australia air service, and with the decision of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to reduce the order for Tudor H’s from 79 to 50, it is understood that there is a distinct possibility that the Hennes IV and V will be used for the Hurn to Sydney service. Handlev Page are building 25 Hermes TV’s for the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which are expected to be ready in 1948. Two “development models” of Hermes V are also being built. Both aircraft are designed for operation in the substratosphere. They are pressurised and air-condi-tioned and have a tricycle un&eicairlage. They will have luxurious passenger accommodation. They will fly at high speeds on long flights. . The Hermes IV is to be powered by Bristol Hercules engines .and will carry 63 passengers at, a normal cruising speed of 270 miles an houi, with a top speed of 350 miles-an hour, and a maximum cruising sp of 297 miles an hour. .H will cai /> loads of up to 17,-0001b, and its range will be up to 3730 miles. The Hermes IV is a civil counterpart of a Royal Air Force transport, the Hastings, : a - ready in production; but it will have a longer pressurised fuselage. , The Hermes V will have Bristol Theseus gas turbine driven engmes, with a cruising speed Ox 34a miles.a hour. It will carry 6a passen o em a their luggage for 1750 or 40 passengers and luggage m - miles. Its maximum load will be 17,0001 b and its maximum ian o e 3090 miles. . - . +n Both these aircraft will be arle fly at 30,000 feet.