BRITISH AIRCRAFT

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 253, 20 September 1930, Page 2

BRITISH AIRCRAFT

3.30 P.M. EDITION

ORDERS FROM ABROAD. IMPORTANT CONSTRUCTION. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (British .Official Wireless.) - Received September 20, 1.0 p.m. RUGBY, Sept. 19. Orders for aircraft worth several hundred thousand pounds have been received in Britain from abroad during the past few weeks. Britain is at the head of the list of countries exporting aeroplanes and air machines. The Japanese and French Governments are among those which bought for their navies all-metal flying boats made in England and equipped with English engines. In addition, large orders for light aeroplanes and several fleets of monoplane passenger liners are being built in Britain for air routes abroad. One important home order just being completed is that of eight fortyseater Handley Page air liners, which Imperial Airways, Ltd.,' are to use on the service to India. These giants, which have a 140 feet wing span, have each a speed of 120 miles an hour and accommodation which includes two lounges and a bar equipped with armchairs, and two huge holds for the luggage and freight. AIRSHIP RlOl. Before very long the British airship illOl will bo able to sad the skies ivithout taking any petrol with her. Hitherto she has had to carry a certain quantity of motof spirit for starting the mechanism of her heavy oil engines. Recently, however, such satisfactory tests have been made with the compression ignition starting engines with which she has oeen equipped that similar models will eventualy be fitted to all five of her engines. This development is of obvious importance in removing the danger of fire, especially during flights in hot climates. By a further adaption the airship has just been fitted with two new engines in which tne reversing problem is surmounted. 1 The 11101’s length has been increased by 50 feet, a new envelope has been fitted, and a new bay installed, increasing her lift to 166 tons. She is now the world’s biggest airship. She is expected to undergo further trials next week,-prior to her departure for India in a month.-