BRITISH AIR STRENGTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23829, 3 December 1940, Page 8

BRITISH AIR STRENGTH

MEN AND MACHINES AUSTRALIA'S CONTRIBUTION [from our own correspondent] SYDNEY, Nov. 30 Announcements by two federal Ministers this week indicated the growing strength of Australia's contribution of trained airmen and aeroplanes to the Empire war effort. The Minister for Air, Mr. MoEwen. stated that Australia's first pilots under the Empire Air Scheme had completed their advanced training recently, and would be 011 active service overseas soon. "Within a few months," the Minister added, "Australia will be well represented in the ranks of the Royal Air Force. Henceforth there will be an increasing flow of fully trained pilots to man the Royal Air Force bombers and fighters. Air observers and wireless air gunners who are now being trained in Australia and overseas will add to the air crew strength which the Royal Australian Air Force will provide." The Minister for Munitions, Senator Mcßride, .said that production of \Yirraway aircraft had reached seven a week', and of Tiger Moth elementary trainer aeroplanes two a working day. Production of Moths could be increased to three a day, and these aircraft, now powered with locally-made engines, were being exported to other Dominions. Satisfactory progress, Senator McBride added, was being made in delivery of locally-made Gipsy Major engines, which were being installed in the Tiger Moths. Production of Beaufort _ airframes, a task of tremendous magnitude under war-time conditions, was proceeding satisfactorily. Satisfactory progress was reported in the construction and equipping of a new Sydney factory for the manufacture of twin-row Wasp engines for the Beauforts. Marly next year, Senator Mcßride announced, Australia would be manufacturing all its requirements of duralinium sheet strip, extrusions, and heavy forgings, for the achievement of which an expenditure exceeding £600,000 had been necessary.