LONG FORMATION FLIGHT

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 4 September 1935, Page 5

LONG FORMATION FLIGHT

THREE AIR FORCE CRAFT. FIRST STAGE OF 1100 MILES. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Sept. 2. Three flying-boat 3 belonging to the No. 203 squadron of the Royal Air Force start to-morrow on a formation flight in four long stages to Basra. The flight is in connection with the reequipment of the squadron with short Singapore biplanes each powered with four Rolls Rovce Kestral liquid cooled engines. The flight is intended to provide further experience of cruises with halts made only at places under British control. The first stage is to Gibraltar, a distance of 1100 miles. Succeeding stages are : Gibraltar-Malta, 985 miles; Malta-Aboukir, 920 miles; Aboukir-Basra, 1070 miles. In view of its length, no stage will be unless a favourable weather report is received. The planes are able to cruise on one fuel load for 1000 miles at an average speed of 105 miles an hour. The ceiling is 15,000 feet. Built entirely of metal with an aluminium alloy predominant, the planes’ equipment includes cooking gear, sleeping berths and ample room for personal luggage. Three machine-gun stations are provided, and a big load can be carried in the form of bombs or large torpedoes. The squadron is to resume duties of the coastal patrol and reconnaisn >ce of the Persian Gulf.