AVIATION IN RUSSIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19740, 13 September 1927, Page 11

AVIATION IN RUSSIA.

REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS FORMIDABLE AIR POWER. Sun. LONDON, Bopt 11. In the course of an article published in the Observer Lord Thomson, who was Secretary of.State for Air in the Labour Government, says it is curious and significant that Russia, in addition to creating a formidable air force, perceives more clearly than any other Government the essential necessity of air power. Russia is using State machinery to instil an air sense into the Russian people, and is making the study of aviation compulsory in the schools, and is facilitating adult flying as a pastime. The Ukraine alone, says Lord Thomson, has 4662 aeronautical societies, with a membership of 360,000. There are two other aviation societies with a united membership of 2,000,000 in 19 aero clubs, and 1200 libraries. The Air Force has 1500 military aircraft, and a national industry has been founded to build machines in Russia. They are successfully specialising in the manufacture of all-metal machines constructed of a new alloy called koltchon galuminium, which has a tensile strength of 85001b. to the square inch. Russia a few years hence may control the Asiatic air routes eastward, says Lord Thomson. It is reported that Italy intends to construct 2800 military aircraft by 1930. If Moscow makes the Russian peasants " air minded," Italy, France and Germany together would not be equal in air power to Russia.