RUSSIA'S AIR FLEET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19731, 2 September 1927, Page 11

RUSSIA'S AIR FLEET.

INCREASED BUILDING. FUTURE STRUGGLE PLOTTED. REVOLUTIONARY AMBITION. PEOPLE SUPPLYING FUNDS. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received September 1, 5.5 p.m.) Sun. LONDON, Aug. SI. The aviation reporter of the Daily Mail says the Soviet is plotting a titanic future struggle in which a high-speed conflict will be fought and won mainly in the air. It aims at the establishment of a military air fleet of 3000 planes backed by numbers of convertible commercial planes which are being constructed in closelyguarded national factories. The Soviet is also establishing eight military air-bases and reopening old poison gas factories and building new ones. In these they are having manufactured more varieties of gas and more in volume than any other country. * Many delays are being experienced in the construction of Russian planes, says the writer, but the French estimate that the Soviet possesses more than 1000 machines apart from tho reserves. The "Ariochim," otherwise the Association of Friends of the Red Air Fleet, consists of 3.000,000 members. They have raised funds to supply the army with 200 machines. Workers are giving additional sums as a result of propaganda declaring that Rusi sia's future lies in the air, and that flying will enable her to precipitate a universal revolution, and that if it be used relentlessly Russia will prove invincible. PACIFIC AVIATION. PERMANENT/ SERVICE PLAN. SIR A. COBHAM ASSISTING* Sun. LONDON, Aug. SI. The noted British airman, Sir Alan Cobham, says ho and Mr. Claude GrahameWhite, on behalf of a New Zealand syndicate, are assisting in the organisation of a permanent air service for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. The service is to be opened in 1928, but the plans have not yet been completed. A stoutly-designed all-metal flying- boat of between 800 and 1000 horse-power, to accommodate 12 passengers, with mails and baggage, will probably form the nucleus of the fleet. Concerning a report that two Wellington airmen propose to attempt a flight to Australia, Sir Alan .-aid any ordinary machine should negotiate such a short journey. Enthusiasts should concentrate on the practical side of linking up the Pacific Islands with a regular service. Before this would be possible, however, the routes must be surveyed, it was problematical whether it would be a commercial proposition, but the prospects were bright. Sir Alan said he was satisfied he had found a suitable type of machine which had the benefit of the experience of recent long-distance flights. A Press Association message from Dannevirke says the reference made by Sir Alan Cobham in the above cablegram regarding .a transtasman flight by two Wellington airmen is based on newspaper rumours which at the moment are not justified. Persons in Dannevirke actively connected with the venture say that until their financial arrangements are completed they have nothing to say beyond the fact that the newspapers have no authority at present to mention their names. The proposed venture is being largely organised from Dannevirke. If it develops successfully full details will be given. At present those responsible are reticent. ROUND WORLD TRIP. DELAY AT CONSTANTINOPLE. AIRMEN LOSE ONE DAY. 'Received September 1, 8.35 p.m.) A. N.Z.-Sun. CONSTANTINOPLE. Sept. 1. The monoplane Pride of Detroit, in which the two American airmen, Messrs. William Brock and Edward Schlee, are attempting to fly round the world, arrived at Constantinople yesterday. The journey from Belgrade took six hours. The fliers were delayed 45 minutes by a fiead wind.

When the machine had been refuelled the Americans wanted to proceed, but they were obliged to spend the night in Constantinople in order to comply with the formality of securing permission to fly over Turkish territory. This has put them one clay behind their prearranged itinerary.