AUSTRALIA NOT LAGGING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 24 June 1937, Page 9

AUSTRALIA NOT LAGGING

AIR DEFENCE MODERN BEST PLANES CHOSEN MELBOURNE, Bth June. Critics of the Royal Australian Air Iforcc at the Tasmanian Returned Soldiers - annual conference at Launceston were challenged by the Acting Minister for Defence (Mr Thorby). In asserting that the aerial defence of Australia was

“obsolete, inadequate, and a source of danger,” it was obvious that the conference was unaware ol the position, Mr Thorby said. ■ ‘All types of aircraft in use are modern,'’ Mr Thorby declared, ‘‘except the Southampton flying-boats, the Bristol Bulldog fighters, and the Wapiti gener-al-purpose machines, which are now used for training only. The R.A.A.I’. is principally equipped with Hawker Demon ina. ciuncs. In Grw.t Britain this aircraft is still being produced for the Royal Air Force, and is known as the Hind, ’lhis aircraft was in service in Australia before it reached the R.A.F. squadrons. Mr Thorby said that, the naval cooperation aircraft used in Australia was the Seagull, which was now being issued to cruisers of the Royal Navy—lß months after its adoption by Australia. The new bomber reconnaissance aircraft—Avro Alisons—embodies all modern aeronautical features, and they were being issued in Great Britain now.

•iircraft of a very high performance was l oil order. These were in the Blenheim class, and 110 aircraft of bettor performance could be obtained anyvvhero else in the world. They would lie available in Australia practically at the same tune as in Great Britain. The training of reserve pilots in Australia was under consideration, but until the air defence programme was more advanced' it was thought unwise to divert funds to that purpose.