OCEAN AIR TRANSPORT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 19 August 1929, Page 9

OCEAN AIR TRANSPORT.

BRITISH PLYING BOATS AS RIVALS TO ZEPPELINS. LONDON, August 6. “The achievement of the Graf Zeppelin in crossing the Atlantic from Frieclriehshafen to Lakchurst, New Jersey, for the second time, this being its third Atlantic crossing, makes the great question at ipresent whether an airship or a flying-boat will be the practical machine for ocean air transport,” says the “Daily Mail’s” aeronautical icorrespondent. “It is recognised that one of the biggest ,events in the development of civil aviation will be a regular transA tlan tie service, owing to the saving of time and the attracting of heavy traffic, which will enable high rates to be charged. “The Zeppelin was successful owing to splendid piloting, but if is not powerful enough, and is too slow. A more serious competitor will be Commander Burney’s giant airship which is now being inflated. This, nevertheless, has ibeen so long under construction that many improvements are already possible. Nevertheless, it .will provide valuable experience, although it is considered the stepping-stone to an ocean-going airship capable of 100 miles an hour when carrying between IfiO and 200 passengers. “On the other hand. ITorr Dornier has jusif flown a 12-engined flying-boat capable of lifting 100 passengers, disproving the contention that such a weight required such heavy aeroplanes that they would not be a commercial proposi t ion. “The British Air Ministry is now seeking tenders for large flying-boats, incorporating new, important technical features, leading to the expectation that both airships and living-boats will be operating eommerciallv on long-dis-tance routes within a few years. Technicians at present disagree as to which type will survive.”