OCEAN FLIGHTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23109, 6 August 1938, Page 12

OCEAN FLIGHTS

AMERICAN MACHINES HUGE CLIPPER READY REMARKABLE FEATURES [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] VANCOUVER, July 20 *"■' For the first time in the history of transport aircraft, the engines will be accessible during flights, in the case of the 74-passenger, four-engined Clip per aeroplane now undergoing tests on Laka Washington, near Seattle. This will be effected by means of a cat-walk thorough the leading edge of the wings, which have a span of 152 feet.

Some of the features of construction of the new flying-boats are being care fully guarded, because of advanced development. Among them are the 1500-horse-power Wright Cyclone, engines, the largest aircraft engines yet constructed. They are a development of the "twin row" principle of banking two radial engines together. They are said to be twice as powerful as the single-row Cyclone engines that drive many of America's largest transport air liners, now in service." While rated at 1500 horsepower, the quartette can develop, not merely 6000, but a total of 8000 horsepower for the takeoff.

The passenger capacity is 74 for nor-mal-range flights, and 50 for the longest over-water stretch on either the Atlantic or the Pacific, or approximately five times the number carried in the present. Pacific^aeroplanes. The maximum range is 6500 miles, which would enable the new Clippers to fly non-stop from New York to London or Lisbon, or San Francisco to Wake Island, half-way to. Hongkt&g. It is planned to make intermediate stops that will permit the ships to carry 40 to 50 passengers. across either ocean. The accommodation on the lower of the two decks is the most luxurious yet designed. Six passenger cabins, with lounge seats for each, a private honeymoon suite, a large dining lounge, galley and serving pantry, and separate dressing-rooms for men and women are on this deck. „ ■

On the flight deck above are the bridge and engineering stations, occupying a space as large as the entire cabin of the present transcontinental air liners, and with posts for captain, first officer, navigating officer, engineering officer and radio operator. Aft of the centre section are the living quarters of the 10 members of the crew. The centre section of the wing encloses a storage hold, with compartments for two and a-half tons of mail, express and passenger baggage.