’PLANES FOR ABYSSINIA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 311, 30 November 1936, Page 8

’PLANES FOR ABYSSINIA.

TRANSPORT IN STRATOSPHERE. Large numbers of “stratosphere” aeroplanes are shortly to be sent to Abyssinia by the Italian Government, for military and communication purposes, says a Central News message from Rome, published in tho London Star. One hundred of these machines are now under construction, and many others have been ordered and will bo sent to Abyssinia as soon as possible. The reason for this move is that the Italian authorities have discovered that, as a country from which to conduct flying operations, Abyssinia leaves a lot to be desired.

The high altitude of the greater part of the country, the rarefied atmosphere, and the constant low-hang-ing clouds, giving bad visibility, have considerably cramped the activities of Italy’s expeditionary air force in its work of ensuring communications. These facts were reported to Signor Mussolini, who decided on the use of high-altitude aeroplanes. Tho new machines will be capable of operating at heights between 30,000 and 39,000 feet, it is stated. This means that the cockpits will have to be enclosed, and the pilots will be provided with oxygen apparatus and electrically-heated clothing. The engines of the ’planes will be fitted with superchargers—at those heights the rarefied air affects engines as well as pilots —and de-icing apparatus also will have to form part of the equipment.