STRENGTH GROWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23940, 15 April 1941, Page 6

STRENGTH GROWS

AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE HEAVY EXPENDITURE manufacture of beauforts SYDNEY, April 12 The Royal Australian Air Force personnel has increased one hundredfold since it was established in 1921. With reservists waiting call-up, it has the strength equivalent to three army divisions. Speaking on the 20th anniversary ot the force, the Minister for Air, Mr. McEwen, said that in 1921 the Royal Australian Air Force comprised 150 officers and men. At the outbreak of the present war its strength was 3500 To-day there were more men in one large training school in Victoria than in the Royal Australian Air Force in September, 1939. "This year," said Mr. McEwen, "more than £40,000,000 will be spent on the force, compared with £135,000 spent in the first year of its existence. Present commitments under the Empire Air Scheme approach £60,000,000." Referring to the operations of the Royal i Air Force reconnaissance squadrons,, Mr. McEwen pointed out that Hudson! bombers and other long-range aircraft j flew nearly 1,000.000 miles in three | months, covering an area of more than 15,000,000 square miles at sea. In aircraft, too, Australia is gathering strength. The first Beaufort bomber assembled in Australia is expected to be in the air by the end of this month. In refutation of earlier criticism of the suitability of the Beaufort for Australia's needs, the Australian Assistant Director of Aircraft Production. Mr. John Storey, who inspected British factories with the Prime Minister in Britain, is reported to have said that the Beaufort is the best aircraft of its type in the world. The New South Wales Area Controller for Aircraft Production, Mr. H. Young, said that shortly two or three Beauforts a month will he produced in Australia, and ultimately the rate of production will increase to one a day. Mr. Young declared that all production difficulties had now been cleared away. "The first bomber," he said, "will be turned out in Victoria, because assembly facilities are there. In the near future we hope to have similar facilities in New South Wales."