LARGE AEROPLANES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21883, 20 August 1934, Page 11

LARGE AEROPLANES

EAST COAST SERVICE FOUR MACHINES WANTED COMPANY TO PLACE ORDERS [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] GISBORNE, Saturday At a meeting of the East Coast Airways Company, which is being floated to operate an airline between Gisborne and Hawke's Bay, it was reported that applications for shares had now advanced sufficiently to permit of the placing of an order for four aeroplanes, which the company will use on the route.

Tho directors have decided to place the order with the de Havilland Company as soon as the Government grants a licence, for which application has been made.

The company will order two standard Dragon twin-engined aeroplanes, each having a carrying capacity of 10 passengers, and hopes to have its service in operation in time to benefit from the summer and autumn tourist season.

Tho de Havilland Dragon has been described as an air-liner in miniature. It accommodates six passengers and luggage, or about 10 passengers without luggage, and is claimed to maintain height with one of its two engines out of operation. The machine, in standard form, is equipped with two Gipsy Major engines, and cruises at 110 miles an hour. Tho de Havilland system of wood construction is used. The machines will be the largest commercial aircraft yet put into regular use in New Zealand. The Dragon is identical in most respects with the de Havilland Rapide to bo used by Squad-ron-Leader J. D. Hewett and FlyingOfficer Cyril Kay, of Auckland, in tho Centenary air race, but has less powerful engines and a different wing section.