LATEST AIRCRAFT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23617, 29 March 1940, Page 7

LATEST AIRCRAFT

RELEASE BY AMERICA COMMITTEE'S APPROVAL DEFENCE CHIEFS IN FAVOUR By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received March '.' H, r>.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 27 Giving evidence before the Congressional Committee inquiring into the question of selling to the Allies the latest types of American aircraft, the Secretary for War, Mr. Harry IT. Woodring, said the United States had possibly six types of aircraft that were superior to any other in the world. "The policy of release for foreign sale of the most modern designs should he liberalised to stimulate productive capacity and insure improved types for the United States forces," said Mr. Woodring. "Each case should be decided on its merits. Foreign Governments must agree to furnish us with full information regarding the combat performance of the machines." Mr. Woodring added that he expected that several hundred reserve aeroplanes at present being built for the United Stutes Army would be sold for immediate delivery to the Allies. The Assistant-Secretary for War, Mr. Louis Johnson, said that as the result of American and Allied orders the productive capacity at the end of the year would be between .'50,000 and 'IO,OOO aeroplanes, compared with 3613 in 1938. By waiting, the United States Army would get an order of 3000 of the latest models in one month. The Chief of the General Staff, General George C. Marshall, urged the release of aeroplanes, after which the committee informally approved. Aeroplane manufacturers are agreed that potential orders worth 1,000,000,000 dollars can bo filled with complete protection for the national interest and to the satisfaction of the industry. SPEEDY AEROPLANES GERMAN MANUFACTURE AMSTERDAM, March 27 Germany is concentrating solely upon the output of single-seater Messerschmitt 109 aeroplanes, says the Berlin correspondent of the Telegraaf. Factories have begun mass production with the object of simplifying training, replacements and repairs. The aeroplane is armed with a machine-gun which fires through the propeller and an automatic, quickfiring. 20 millimetre gun on- each side. It is claimed that this machine last year established a world's record speed of •169 miles an hour.

ARMY IN MAKING SOUTH AFRICA'S EFFORT 8000 MEN UNDER ARMS EXCELLENT RECRUITING (Received March 28, 5.35 p.m.) CAPETOWN, March 27 Recruiting in South Africa sinoe the outbreak of the war has not slackened. The Botha Regiment, which draws men from the Northern Transvaal, has brought two battalions to war strength since September, and a third battalion is being formed. The Imperial Light Horse is similarly expanding. Eight thousand South Africans are now under arms. BRITISH BATTLE DRESS (Received March 28, 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, March 28 Contracts have been placed by the British Government for 20.000.000 yards of denim, the first instalment of material for the new summer battle dress for the Army.