BRITAIN'S AIR DEFENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18520, 3 October 1923, Page 9

BRITAIN'S AIR DEFENCE.

COMPREHENSIVE , SCHEME.

500 FIRST LI"NE MACHINES, BEST EQUIPMENT IN WORLD. By Telegraph— Association'— A.; and N.Z. LONDON, Oct. 1. The Daily Chronicle says that plans have been made for the aerial '.'.defence of Britain, with from 500 to 600 aeroplanes as the first line and a similar number in the reserve. The machines are nearly completed.

The scheme provides for the establishnent of strategic bases at Hawkings, Spiltlegate and Dircham Newton, which will accommodate large numbers of machines. This will insure adequate protection from attacks from the east, south, and south-east, co-ordinaCing with a base at Bromley, London's main inner defence. Training • schools will be inaugurated, giving special attention to night flying and the co-operation of anti-aircraft gunners and searchlight batteries. . ;

A. now monoplane - is being designed which can be used commercially in peace fimes arid will be capable of rapid conversion in war time. In peace time they will j; carry six or eight passengers, and when converted will bo capable of bombing and reconnaissance, with a speed of 140 miles an hour.

Flying boats of - from , 20,000 to 30,000 pounds weight are building, capable of cruising on the water with their own power and carrying a crew of seven and five machine-guns. They are so designed that the gunners will be able fo firo in all directions.

It is believed that when the plans are carried out, Britain will be the best airequipped nation in the world.