QREAT OCEAN FLIGHTS THIS YEAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23275, 18 February 1939, Page 9 (Supplement)

QREAT OCEAN FLIGHTS THIS YEAR

By AILERON

THIS year is one of great promise in the important field of international aviation. The great nations of the world, or if not all of them, at least several of the most important, have ambitious plans for extending their aerial networks, and the schemes adopted by both 13ritain and the United States are of vital concern to New Zealand as a whole, and to Auckland in particular. Latest mails from overseas bring news of two classes of aircraft which will meet on the waters of the Waitemata Harbour. Nearing completion at the works of Short Brothers at Rochester, England, are tho three strengthened Empire flying-boats with which the Tasman air service is to be operated, and in tho United States rapid progress is being made with Pan American Airways' order for six ciant 42-ton flying-boats from the Boeing factory. One of the Boeings is ready, and as the ships aro built in pairs, it follows that the second is also getting on to the stage where sho can be handed over to the operating company. The first boat was scheduled for a flight to China and back the week before last, and at that time officials of tho company stated that with the six new Boeings, as well as the two Martins used regularly on tho China service.

the company would be in a position to operate services over two vast oceans, tho Atlantic and the Pacific.

Fast Seaplanes As well as Britain and the United States, both Germany and France are vitally interested in the Atlantic service, and it is extremely interesting to see how the various nations are tackling the problem of arranging regular commercial schedules over the distance separating America from Europe. Germany and England have both applied novel methods, while the United States and Franco are using more conventional means.

Fast seaplanes, somo with four motors, catapulted from a mother-ship, havo been successful for Germany, but they have not solved the matter of passenger carrying. Britain has made one brilliant flight with the Mercury, the upper half of the famous Mayo composite aircraft, but this machine too carried only mails, and no passengers. France entered tho lists last year with tho giant flying-boat Lieutenant de Paris, and got across safely, but at the same time this machine has peculiarities which, it is considered, do not mako it altogether suitable for steady use. Tho United States had a long-range Sikorsky 5428 flying-boat, similar to the Sainoan Clipper which visited New Zealand, carrying out Atlantic surveys last year, when several return flights were made, and Britain, in addition to the Mayo Composite, used a long-rango Empire boat for similar journeys. Atlantic Service I

Working separately, but in co-opera-tion in the broad sense, Britain and the United States plan regular passenger flights over the Atlantic this year. America, through Pun American Airways, will uso some of her fleet of new Boeings, and Britain has, or shortly will have, several types which will be tried. The Do Hnvilland Albatross, a four-engined land nnichino, is one of the specially-built British craft for this great enterprise, and a bigger version of the Empire flying-boat, now under construction, is another. There has been some criticism recently of the delay that has occurred in recommencing the South Pacific service from Honolulu to Auckland, and also ill beginning the transtasman run. The layman,' however, has little idea just what is involved in making the airways safe, and is inclined to think that as long as there are available machines capable of covering the necessary distance, that is all there is to it.

Actually, Pan American Airways is very well ahead in its organisation of the South Pacific service, having; already been over tho route with the Samoan Clipper. All details of meteorological work, radio, supplies, bases and the hundred and one other important things liavo been attended to, or are now receiving attention, atid it is believed that official a If ail's in the United States, now in progress of being settled, are tho last obstacle in tho way of'tho service being resumed. But next time Pan American Airways come to Auckland, tho Dominion

will see one of the largest and most magnificent aircraft in the world. The public was thrilled first at the sight of the Samoan Clipper, and then by the graceful lines of Imperial Airways' Coritaurus, but when the South Seas Clipper comes in over Rangitoto to alight on tho harbour, the latest in commercial aviation will really have reached Auckland. Big Boeing Clipper Twice the size of either of the huge flying-boats already seen here, the big Boeing will be a revelation both to New Zealand fliers, and to tho public generally. Quite apart from her immense size, which in itself makes her outstanding, she will be the very latest in aircraft design, no pains having been spared in making her both luxurious and safe. Duriug tests, a complete crew of experts was carried, and more than 100 detailed alterations, all tending toward greater comfort and safety, were made before the machine was handed over to the operating company. One important change involved the tearing down of some of the inside walls, and replacing them with a stuffing of a special kind of spun glass wool, to reduce noisa. The four big motors, which can be reached by > the engineers while the Boeing is in flight, have a great song of power, and as this would be extremely trying for passengers 011 a long journey, the noise has been reduced to a minimum by means of special insulating materials. Smaller, but equally modern, the three . boats for the Tasman run, tho Aotearoa, Awarua and Australia, will bo equally welcome arrivals. No date

for "the beginning of tne service has yet been mentioned, but at long last a start has been made with the ground organisation. In Auckland, next to the Pan American Airways' base, a terminal for the Tasman boats is begin-

ning to take shape, and there is every reason to believe that in a few months' time, lying close together off their respective bases, will be the latest products of British and American aircraft factories.