Page 3 Advertisements Column 4

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17287, 30 September 1916, Page 3

Recent war cables contained an item to the effect that were to .be selected from the A'nzac contingents on the. Somme front for training as aviators, as their adaptability for this class of work was highly appreciated by the war authorities. A private communication from a well-known motorist, who for some time has held a commission' in the Royal Flying Corps, states that the British air service has assumed, huge proportions, and that this crack corps comprises a large number of Australians, Canadians and South Africans. The motorist in question, who hails from the Riverina district, is now a second pilot (the ambition of all flying men) aboard a fast high-seated fighter. Tho machine develops 120 h.p., carries one quarter of a ton of petrol (allowing a flight of six hours), can fly at 15,000 ft, and is exceptionally fast. On two _ consecutive days his machine made trips of 250 miles, scouting over the enemy’s lines. Engine bearing troubles are tlrC bugbear of the aviators, the planes themselves now giving very little trouble. It appears that the engines are mostly run “full out.” with the result that the “ Gnome ” bearings generally require attention after about twenty hours’ use. On the big stationary engines, sixty hours’ working is generally the maximum servico before the bearings have to be attended to. Windago gives verv little trouble when up 2000 ft. . *