STRONGER AIR FORCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3830, 11 August 1928, Page 1

STRONGER AIR FORCE.

NEW PLANES FOR. DOMINION. The engineering survey of the Hobsonville combined landplane and seaplane station has been completed and the layout plan and design of the various buildings and works are being prepared, says the annual report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces, Major-Gen-eral It. Young. It has been ascertained that no difficulties are to be expected on account of foundation in the construction of the slipway, seawall and other foreshore works. The work required to develop the base comprises the following main items:—(l) for seaplanes: A slipway apron (a levelled area between the slipway and the hangars), three hangars, a petrol storage system and an access road. (2) for landplanes: Hangars, levelling and clearing the area. (3) for general purposes: Workshops, stores buildingsj offices, dining hall and cookhouses, conveniences, water supply, power and light, single men’s quarters and married men’s quarters. The work immediately necessary for the housing and use of both seaplanes and landplanes is being put in hand as soon as the plans and specifications are completed. MACHINES AT WiIGRAM AERODROME. The two seaplanes of the float type which have been ordered are expected to arrive in the Dominion toward the end of the present year, when the station should be ready for their reception and use. Negotiations are also in train for the purchase of a suitable training type of flying boat, which will he used to train personnel for duty in larger boats to be employed on coastal reconnaissance and naval co-op-eration duties.

The total number of aircraft on charge at the Wigram aerodrome is 17. The Avro aeroplane will be used only by pitots experienced in the use of the rotary engines until such time as the aircraft become unserviceable, when they will be written off. A Gloster “Grebe” single-sea-ter fighter, fitted with a 385 h.p. Armstrong-Siddeley “Jaguar” engine, arrived during the year, Sir Henry Wigram’s generous gift of £2500 having been utilised as the basis of the purchase price. Two additional “Grebes” have been ordered and are due to arrive shortly. Eight D.H. 60 (Moth) aeroplanes, four of which are earaar-

ked for issue on loan to light aeroplanes clubs and four for use at the Wigram aerodrome, are due in October next. DETAILS OF NEW CRAFT.

Orders have also been placed for one Fairey 111 F landplane for the Wigram aerodrome and for one Fairey 111 F senplane and ope D.II. GOG- (Moth) seaplane for 'the Air Force base at Hobsonville. The Fairey 111 Fis a general service type of aircraft and may be rigged cither as a float seaplane or as a landplane, the sea and land undercarriages being readily interchangeable. As a seaplane it is employed ‘for reconnaissance duties, while as a landplane it is used for bombing and reconnaissance. A proportion of alternative float and wheel undercarriages will be held to enable aircraft to be utilised either as seaplanes or landplanes in case of necessity. By this policy of using general service aircraft it will be possible to effect economy in the stocks of spare parts to be carried in the Dominion.

The report traverses the steps being taken to encourage civil aviation by means of flying clubs. In the selection of landing grounds great assistance can be giveli to the departmental officers by local bodies and citizens reporting possible sites, stating the dimensions, quality of the surface and general local ion with regard to physical features and freedom from obstacles. By this means it would be possible to avoid unnecessary expense and waste of time visiting localities to inspect areas which are obviously unsuitable.