GREATER SPEED EFFORT

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 7 January 1930, Page 5

GREATER SPEED EFFORT

AIR FORCE MACHINES

ADVANCE TO 180 MILES HOURLY

(Uiiifed Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) LONDON, Jan. 6. The “Daily Telegraph’s” aviation writer -states that an all-round _ increase in speed for R.A.F. machines will result, from the re-equipment now proceeding. Broadly speaking, the R.A.F. is passing from the 150 to the 180 miles an hour stage. The four classes of aircraft affected are the -single-seater fighter, the interception fighter, the fighter and the day bomber. The new fighter is a Bristol Bulldog with a speed of 174 miles an hour. It takes only 27 minutes to reach 26,500 feet. The steady increase in the speed of day bombers has reduced the time between the first warning of danger and the arrival of the enemy over London; lienee necessity changes the design in five squadrons of interceptors. The actual changes, however, are -still secret. Indeed, the tests are continuing, particularly in connection with water-cooled or air-cooled- engines. The greater speed of the fighter classes is due to experience gained from the Schneider trophy contest, minor improvements, being a satisfactory wheel brake. The best of the day bombers is the . Hawker Hart, which has a speed of 177 miles at 5000 feet and can climb 15,000 feet in 16 _ minutes. It is all important that interception planes shoidd climb rapidly and travel quicker than -bombers at certain levels.