AUSTRALIA’S FLEET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19760, 10 April 1926, Page 12

AUSTRALIA’S FLEET.

COMMERCIAL AEROPLANES.

THREE NOW UNDER CON-

STRUCTION.

Three commercial aeroplanes, each capable of carrying six constructed in England for Australian Aerial Mail Services (Ltd.), of Melbourne They are expected to reach Melbourne by the mid o! June, and will be the largest and most up-to-date commercial _ aircraft in Australia. Once these machines are operating Australia will have one of the largest commercial air services in the " The aeroplanes, which are of an advanced type, are being constructed bv tin Air Navigation and Engineering Company. They are tractor biplanes with a wing span of 60ft. The cabin has seating accommodation for six passengers, and the machines are designed to carry a pay load of 12001 b all told. In the forward part of the passenger saloon is a compartment for mails, while aft of the cabin is a baggage and lavatory compartment. The machines will be fatted with the Rolls Royce Eagle IX engines of 360 h.p., giving a cruising speed of 90 miles an hour. The total weight of the new machine, empty is 34701 b, the total loaded weight being 56001 b, made up of 90 gallons of petrol—giving a range cf 450 miles—lo gallons of oil. pilot and six passengers. When delivered in Australia, the machines will be put on the services between Melbourne, Hay, Cootamundra, Adelaide, Broken Hill and Mildura.