TASMAN AIR LINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22225, 27 September 1935, Page 11

TASMAN AIR LINE

POSSIBLE FEATURES FINE NEW FLYING-BOATS PROSPECTS FOR NEXT YEAR By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON. Sept. 25

Sikorsky flying-boats, manufactured in England, will be employed in the transtasman service if Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's negotiations with the British Pacific Trust are successful.

Mr. Stephenson, a director of the Trust, informed the Associated Press that the boats, which Will be better than the giant new Imperial Airways machines, will bo ready in the autumn of 1936.

Imperial Airways, Limited, announcer that its 17i ton flying-boats will bo four-engined, and that each will havo a capacious cabin fitted with sleeping berths. It is estimated that night flying will easily ensure a seven-day service to Australia, also that the range of the craft will permit the inclusion of Now Zealand.

The opinion is expressed that 168 hours for the journey will provide a wide margin for all halts for refuelling and weather delays.

Although the Pan-American Airways' negotiations with New Zealand are beiijg watched from London, the suggestion that they will necessitate an Imperial conference is not confirmed. It is pointed out that such a service would not compete with the- route to Australia because even when connected with Britain across the Atlantic it would be too costly both for passengers and mails.

in recent weeks interest has centred on the typo of flying-boat known as tho Sikorslcy S-42, which was used for tho experimental flights for the proposed San Francisco-Hongkong service.

This machine is a high-wing monoplane flying-boat, with a two-step hull, containing nine watertight compartments. The anchor compartment is in the bow's, and next is the pilot's cabin, with complete provision for the mechanic and radio operator. The third compartment is equipped for baggage and express freight, and may also be arranged for passengers for short flights, while the next four compartments are equipped to accommodate eight passengers each. The eighth section contains tho main entrance and accommodation for the steward, and the last section is available for additional baggage or express matter. The machine is powered by four Pratt and Whitney Hornet engines, and has a maximum speed, at 5000 ft., of 188 miles an hour. The service '''ceiling" with four engines is 16,000 ft., and the range, with 8001b. of payload at 12,000 ft., and 170 miles an hour is 3000 miles.

Tho Martin machines are similar to the Sikorsky in the majority of their features, the fuselage or hull of both being of semi-monocoque design. It was announced some months ago that tho Martin flying-boats would have a gross flying weight of approximately 50,0001b., compared with the gross weight of 38,0001b. for tiie Sikorsky S-42.