AVIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21265, 20 February 1931, Page 9

AVIATION

ONLY BACHELORS CHOSEN. FRENCH SCHNEIDER CUP TEAM. PARIS, February 18. (Received Feb. 20, at 1 a.m.) The ten army and navy officers from whom France’s Schneider Cup team will be chosen are all bachelors, orders being given -that married men must not participate owing to risk. BRITISH PLANES. BIG ORDER FROM BELGIUM. LONDON, February 19. (Received Feb. 19, at 9 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph’s aviation correspondent reveals that the Belgian order for British planes was given after a remarkable test. The manufacturers, during the negotiations, told the Belgians that a single-seater could plunge vertically towards the earth from an altitude of 20,000 feet at the rate of 380 miles an hour, then safely pull up out of the dive. This amazing test was successfully carried out. Our foreign competitors refused a challenge to do likewise, and the .order was given to Britain.

A previous message read as follows: — The Belgian Government has confirmed the large order for British two-seater fighter aeroplanes, which are intended for the re-equipment of the Belgian army air regiments. The contract, which was obtained in competition with foreign aircraft manufacturers, provides for the delivery by the Fairey Aviation Company of a number of high-speed “Fox” biplanes, and it follows rapidly upon an order placed by Belgium with the same company for 45 single-seater craft. The value of the two orders considerably exceeds £300,000.