HUGE FLYING-BOATS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22769, 1 July 1937, Page 9

HUGE FLYING-BOATS

ROOM FOR 72 PASSENGERS

SIX UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Looking at the builders' sketch of

the world's largest seaplane, one of six now under construction for PanAmerican Airways by the Boeing Aircraft Company, states a writer in an American newspaper, the realisation comes that soon tourists and business

people in considerable numbers will be winging their way to Hawaii, the Philippines and the Orient, in place of using the slower steamships. The new clippers, capable of carry-

ing 72 passengers, a crew of eight, 50001b. of freight and airmail and 15 tons of fuel, will weigh between 40 and 50 tons. Twice the size of the Hongkong Clipper, the new clippers are being constructed with three interior decks.

On the top deck beneath the huge wing will be the flight bridge and captain's quarters. Aft on the same deck are the sleeping and living quarters for the crew, including a separate galley. Still further aft is the big cargo space, larger than the entire cabin of a transcontinental transport aeroplane. The main deck running tho length of the ship, under the flight deck, contains regular passenger cabins, private staterooms fore and aft and a dining and lounge saloon. The passenger galley equipped with nil facilities for cooking in flight is located forward on this deck. ,

Heavy cargo will be carried in the lower deck, which is a series of -watertight compartments running the length of the ship. Fifteen tons of fuel will

bo carried in the tanks located in the wings and sponsons. The four new type Wright Cyclone engines, each capable of 1500 horsepower, will be accessible for adjustment and repairs by means of a companionway in the enormous wing, and will give the new clippers a cruising rango of 5000 miles.

It will be probably less than a year, adds the writer, before Honolulu will sec about 72 passengers emerge- from the hull of a new Boeing Clipper at Pearl Harbour. Many times have large passenger steamships disgorged fewer passengers.