PROJECTED AIR CRUISE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19977, 20 December 1926, Page 12

PROJECTED AIR CRUISE.

FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA. FLEET OF FLYING BOATS. INCLUSION OF NEW ZEALAND. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, December 19. Following recent cabled information from Loudon that it was understood that the Air Ministry had arranged for a cruise in the middle of next year of a fleet of flying boats to Australia, commanded by an officer of high rank, private advice has been received in Auckland giving further details of the projected trip. According to this advice, the cruise will probably embrace New Zealand and several islands of the Pacific. The letter, written by a man prominent in the flying business in England, stated that the machine to bo used were powerful amphibians, with twin engines of 900 horsepower. On the trip each would probably carry a crew of four. The machines, which had a cruising range of about 1800 miles, had been thoroughly tested out, and found to be very reliable. The engines were so constructed that if one failed the other would be capable of keeping the flying boat afloat, thus greatly minimising the danger of forced landing in treacherous places. The writer added that it was proposed largely to follow the route taken by Sir Alan Cobbam on his recent flight from England to Australia and back. There was a suggestion that New Zealand should be included in the itinerary, and if this was decided upon the machines would probably fly from Tasmania to the nearest point in the ‘South Island, and then up to Auckland. From here they would travel to some of the Pacific islands, and then back to Sydney. As the distance from Tasmania across the Tasman Sea to the South Island is barely 1000 miles, the cruise would be within the compass of the machines. The writer mentioned that a visit to New Zealand would largely depend on weather conditions. A forecast for an eight hours’ trip, however, would not prove very difficult. Discussing the importance of the cruise, the writer mentioned that the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr S. M. Bruce) had been approached while in England, and was very enthusiastic about the trip, promising the support of his Government. It was also proposed to call on the Prime Minister of New Zealand (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) before he left England, with a view to soliciting his co-operation regarding petrol supplies and other necessities that might' be required in the Dominion. The trip was being made with the prime view of developing flying in this part of the world, and would no doubt stimulate interest in the possibilities of flying. The cruising speed of the machines would be 110 miles per hour, so that it would be possible for them to reach England from Australia in five days.