BRITISH AVIATION

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2339, 8 January 1926, Page 2

BRITISH AVIATION

COMMERCE AND DEFENCE. PLANS FOR THE NEW YEAR*. LONDON, December 29. Speaking at the annual meeting of Imperial Airways, Ltd., the chairman. Sir Eric Gcddes, said a groat advance In commercial flying would occur when the airways were lighted, permitting night flying. Scientific direction-find-ing appliances had been perfected, and the most. effective devices had been provided in various countries to enable pilots to land during fog.

The cost of maintenance and overhauls, £61,712, seemed a high price for safety, but success depended primarily on safety. Nevertheless, the cost of maintenance must be reduced. This would bo possible by simplifying and standardising designs, uslrig metal alloys instead of wood, and increasing the load per horae-power. The “Standard” states that four aerial squadrons ultimately will be quartered at the Hendon property, which the Government has just purchased from Mr. Graham White and which, it has been stated, is to be converted Into an important aerial defence base. These, the paper adds, will include the County of London’s and the City of London’s territorial squadrons, known as “The Sky Terriers,’’ one regular and one special reserve squadron, totalling from 1000 to 1500 men, and 48 first-line aeroplanes, 12 of which belong to the regular squad-, rons. The special reserve squadron has one-third of its personnel composed of regulars, the remainder being volunteers. Th e territorial squadrons will be wholly of non-regulars, apart from a few technicians.

The aeronautical correspondent of the “Times” states that Imperial Airways, Ltd., has ordered five large three-engined de Havlland passenger aeroplanes for use in the Egypt-ladia service.

The first will b e delivered In October next, and the others at fortnigntly Intervals.

They will be constructed of metal, except for th e wings, which will be of wood.