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WAR IN THE AIR.

RIVAL AERIAL SQUADRONS,

STRENGTH OF THE ROTTERS.

The use of aircraft in a European war is almost entirely in connection with reconnaissance (writes Mr 0. G. Grey in the London “Daily Express”). Under certain special circumstances both aeroplanes and airships might ba used for offensive purposes, but no nation owns aircraft in sufficient quantities to make them an important cons.deration as weapons. It is possible that a couple of German airships might make a dash for Paris or London with the idea of creating a tumult of the populace, but in doing so tney would run big risks of being destroyed by aeroplanes. Aeroplanes might, and undoubtedly would, be used as weapons against airships, as even a comparatively small aeroplane could carry hand grenades of sufficient size to destroy an airship, and it is also likely that in every country a few pilots could be found willing to sacrifice their lives by driving their aeroplanes head first into an airship. In fact, I know personally of eoveral British officers wno aro prepared to do so, and it is said that a certain French aeroplane squadron is vowed to this purpose if German airships cross the French border. Also some of the larger aeroplanes would certainly bo used to drop bombs over troops in camp, chiefly with the idea of destroying discipline and stampeding horses. At present few aeroplanes could carry more than, say, four bombs woighing 501 b apiece, and it is more likely that the bombs used would be comparatively small grenades, weighing, perhaps, four or five pounds. GERMANY’S FLEET OF AEROPLANES. At the moment Germany possesses eight Zeppelin airships capable of maintaining the air for periods of between ten and thirty hours, and four others are on the point of completion. These four, and four out of the other eight, are capable of speeds of between fortyfive and sixty miles an hour. As regards aeroplanes, Germany is far in front of any other country so far as the efficiency of its machines is concerned, though France and England have, perhaps, some machines that are faster. The total number of aeroplanes in Germany is kept a rigid military secret, but she must have between 600 and 750 machines. The recent German world’s records, which include altitude records of 25,000 feet without passengers, and records of. 14,000 to 17,000 feet with one or two passengers as well as the pilot on board, and the duration record of twenty-four hours, have all been made on absolutely standard type biplanes with esftra large tallies and with engines of about 100 h.p., which are, I know, turned out in hundreds by one or two of Germany's big motor-car factories. Fully six months ago I heard on thoroughly reliable authority thatthe Mercedes motor firm had 500 of their 100 h.p. Aero engines on order, which shows the thoroughness wibh which the German Government have gone about equipping their air Scot. FRANCE. Tho next biggest air fleet to that of Germany belongs to France. In airships France is extremely weak, and at the moment only owns three comparatively small, low-powered craft. In aeroplanes France possesses possibly as many as Germany, but there has recently been a considerable outcry against the shocking state of neglect into, which the majority of French machines have been allowed to fall. The French array owns a certain number of comparatively fast monoplanes capable cf carrying an. observer as passenger, hut their radius of action is, as a rule, very much less than that of the German machines. In the matter of supplies of engines France is very well off, as she has supplied aero engines to the world since the beginning of aviation, and her factories are equipped on a corresponding scale. RUSSIA. There are big military air stations at most of the important Russian atratogio points, and a friend of mine who returned from Sebastopol some months ago told me that the new military air station there could easily accommodate fifty aeroplanes. There are several large aeroplane factories in Russia, chiefly organised and managed by Frenchmen, and these have been for some twelve months turning out machines in very fair quantities. It is therefore well within the bounds of probability to place the Russian strength at 300 serviceable aeroplanes, especially as tlje last Russian military budget allowod for 400. The Russian pilots are in some ways among the best in the world, in that, like the Russian infantry, they seem to have no particular objection to dying. Russia is also well provided in the matter of engine factories. As far as airships are concerned, however, she is practically without a single effective ship. ITALY AND AUSTRIA.

Italy has actually about seven airships of some use, so long ns there are no fast aeroplanes to interfere with them, but in aeroplanes she is quite well off. It is definitely laid down on the authority of French observers that Italy has twenty-five squadrons (each of four machines) in Italy and three in Africa; There are besides this sundry reserve machines, and others under construction in the various factories, so that on a moderate estimate she would put between 150 and 200 machines in the air at the beginning of war.

The majority of the Italian machines are of quite modern design and construction, and most of them are at least as fast as the best of the Frenoh machines. Many of the Italian pilots have had actual experience of active service in' Africa, and as a rule the Italian aviator has plenty of dash as well as staying power. Austria has recently made considerable strides in aviation. It is generally considered by those who know that her present available fleet consists- of something over a hundred aeroplanes, all of comparatively modern design and construction and equipped with good and reliable < motors. She also possesses three airships of practically negligible value. GREAT BRITAIN. England possesses probably about as many aeroplanes as does Austria. British aircraft are faster than those made abroad, and, except for the Germans, aro better constructed. Hie recent concentration of military aircraft at Salisbury Plain showed that it was possible for the Royal Flying Corps to put about thirty machines in the air at once, and, by taking in all the best machines at the Central Flying School, putting the machines not yet taken over by the Flying Corps into service, and by commandeering the best machines owned by civilians and manufacturing firms, probably a hundred machines fit for service could he raised. On the naval side, Great Britain leads in numbers, in experience of fly* ing off water, and in the quality and power of her seaplanes, which are faster than those of Germany, and better suited for getting off rough water. Germany is somewhat behind in that her machines are slower and worse in rough water. France has a few waterplanes, as has ItUy and Russia, but none of the other countries have naval aircraft which count for anything.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT19140926.2.115

Bibliographic details

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16666, 26 September 1914, Page 14

Word Count
1,166

WAR IN THE AIR. Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16666, 26 September 1914, Page 14

WAR IN THE AIR. Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16666, 26 September 1914, Page 14

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