AIR FORCES

Grey River Argus, 15 January 1925, Page 5

AIR FORCES

NEW BRITISH PROGRAMME. LONDON, January 13. Further details of the air programme show that the non-regular which with regular units, form the home defence force, will be divided ions, on maters of foreign policy and auxiliary air force squadrons, in two groups, forming a quarter of the total force|. The auxiliary group will be a territorial organisation with the smallest nucleus of regular personnel, but with a special reserve administered through normal service channels’. It will be one-third regular and two-thirds special reserve in personnel. The total strength of the two groups will be approximately 360 officers and 2400 airmen. It is hoped that the recruitment of two or three squadrons will begin in the spring. Others will be formed in subsequent years.

The “Daily Express” states that experiments arc proceeding at Felixtowe, with the world’s largest fourengined seaplane, primarily designed for scouting for the British fleet, but it can carry several tons of bombs and attack enemy shipping. The seaplane is capable of several days’ continuous cruising, and is able to outride the heaviest gale while anchored.