AEROPLANES ARRIVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 10

AEROPLANES ARRIVE.

MACHINES If OR AUCKLAND.

FOUR ON PORT MELBOURNE.

FAST AIR FORCE BIPLANES.

Four aeroplanes arrived in Auckland yesterday by fcho steamer port Melbourne. Two are Fairey 111. F machines for the Hobsonville Air Base, and two are Gipsy Moths, one for the Auckland Aero Club and one for the Air Survey and Transport Company. < The Faireys are superior to any service machines yet imported into New Zealand. They have alternative land and seaplane undercarriages, and the power plant is > the well-known Napier Lion 12-cylinder engine, with a rated output of about 530 horse-power. The speed of this type is believed to be in the vicinity of 160 miles an hour. The Fairey 111. F is one of the .most versatile of modern British machines. It is made in two and three-seater types, and is of all-metal construction. Its design adapts it for fighting, reconnaissance, photography or bombing. Although the Napier Lion is a favourite engine, this machine can be fitted with various water or air-cooled power plants of from 450 to 600 horse-power, including the RollsRoyce, Bristol Jupiter, Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar, and the Lorraine. The Fairey lIL F has a wing span of 45ft. 9in., and a length of 32ft. 6in.

AN AERIAL TOUE.

PLANES FROM AUCKLAND.

ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Friday.

At the instance of the Minister of Defence, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, the strictest precautions are to be taken in the witnessing by the public of the arrival of the aeroplanes of the Auckland Aero Club, which are next month to visit several North Island towns with the object of encouraging the provision of landing grounds in places where there are none at present. Two machines will leave Auckland on October 2, and visit Paeroa, Te Aroha, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Auckland, New Plymouth, Hawera, Wanganui, Wellington, Hastings and Gisborne. An invitation was extended by the secretary of the Auckland Club, Mr. .L. W. Swan, to those concerned to arrange for school .children in the districts to witness the arrival of the planes. The Minister, however, wrote to the club stating that he was somewhat anxious about that phase of the tour, and would be glad if-the secretary would circularise the authorities, emphasising the danger of the landings and thp necessity for the children and any other spectators not being encouraged to go on the actual grounds, which should if possible be roped off. -

Mr. Wilford received advice from the secretary of the Auckland Club to day that tho question of taking precautions was being attended to, and that the cooperation of everyone concerned would bo sought to make' for perfect safety.