BIGGER PLANES NEEDED BY N.Z. SQUADRON IN EAST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23313, 24 July 1950, Page 6

BIGGER PLANES NEEDED BY N.Z. SQUADRON IN EAST

(By Air Mail from N’.Z.P.A. Correspondent.) SINGAPORE, July 6

Proposed re-equipment of No. 41 (Transporti Souadron R.N.Z.A.F.. with more modern and longer ■ range aircraft, than its present Rgcing Dakotas is given fresh point by the growing uncertainty of the situation in Indonesia. Apart from any other changes that might arise from the transfer of control from the Dutch to the Indonesian authorities. British aviation experts are beginning to wonder whether the Indonesians will be able to provide enough technical staff to replace the seasoned Dutch Navy men who have beer, manning ancillary ground services vital if New Zealand’s Dakotas are to fly safclv up the Indies. Souadron. aircraft flying between Auckland and Singapore call at Norfolk Island Brisbane. Cloncurry, Dar win and Sourabava The Dakotas lack the range to flv from Darwin to Singapore direct, some 1800 nautical miles, although more modern transport aircraft. including many civil typos, make !Hit of this formidable hoo For the sturdy but limited range Dakotas, there is no apparent’ alternative to 3 landing at Sourabava. and if this became itnoosrible or undesirable for any roa son. New Zealand would have no military aircraft, enoable of maintaining the link with Singapore Magnificent Service

New Zealand's Dakotas have given and are continuing to give magnificent service. Because pilots carefully nurse the engines, and because ground stafl lavish every care on both engines and airframes, mechanical failures suffici «nt to interrupt flights are few and far between, but the time is aoproaching when even these esteemed veterans will have to be withdrawn. However, present indications are that the use of Dakotas or. (he Singapore run could become difficult if not impossible even before these aircraft reach the end of their useful life, and while this may not occur, it is a prospect that demands attention The Royal New Zealand Air Force is not alone in having to face the prospect ..of replacing its Dakotas. These remarkable aircraft, one of the United States’ finest contributions to the Sec ond World War. are still the workhorses of the world’s airways, both civil and military, but nearly every present operator of the type is now thinking over possible replacements. Already the Royal Air Force is using Handley-Page Hastings and the Vickers Valetta—examples of both are flying dailv from Changi—and the New Zea land Government is known to be examining types available from British factories Four-engined aircraft, with ample nower margin, are generally considered desirable. No. 41 squadron, since its formation in 1948. has done millions of miles of transoeean flying, a task for which modern oninion considers four motored machines desirable if not pssential There is no question of the Dakotas, with their two engines, having fallen down on the .iob: but four pood engines give a treater safety margin than two. and safety and reliability are the first essentials of anv transport unit.

Government Attitude Not Known

Gradual replacement of the squad ron’s 11 Dakotas with Hastings aircraft is believed to have been accepted in principle bv the Labour Govern men* shortly before its defeat last November. This was part of a long range scheme to equio the R.N Z.A F exclusively with British aircraft, including Do Havilland Vampire jet fighters. However, a change of Govern ment occurred before orders were nlaced, and as far as is known the National Government has not yet made up its mind. A major factor in this dclav is almost certainly New Zealand's reluctance to buy costlv aircraft until the “bugs’ associated with every new tvpe have been found and removed. And meanwhile the tubby Dakotas, certainly the smartest military aircraft flying in the Pacific today, continue to trundle men and mai's. food and equipment across the lone'v wastes of sea between Auckland and Hong Kong with a regu laritv that has become monotonous but vastly comforting for those who flv in them.