NEW ZEALAND AIRWAYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22612, 2 July 1935, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND AIRWAYS

SERVICE FLIGHT MACHINES FIRST TWO REACH DOMINION (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 1. Two of the five four-seater planes which New Zealand Airways, Ltd., purchased recently for service in the Dominion arrived from Vancouver by the Wairuna last night. They have a top speed of 130 miles, a cruising speed of 115 miles, and a range of 500 miles. The cabin accommodates four passengers, and the mail and freight compartment in front of the cabin will take up to 5501 b of mail. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANE A REMARKABLE RECORD The Boeing is a four-seater biplane new to the Dominion, although it is one of the world’s best-known aircraft. Since 1930 machines of the type which New Zealand Airways, Ltd., proposes to put into service have flown over 15,000,000 miles in Canada, the United States and Europe, without one instance of structural failure. The standard model, which is fitted with a 525 h.p. Pratt and Whitney Hornet engine, has a range of 500 miles at cruising speed, and can take off with a full load in less than 200 yards. The cabin accommodates four passengers, with room for sma,ll luggage, and is finished in natural mahogany plywood. It is metal-lined and is round-proof and insulated. Forward of the main cabin is a mail and freight compartment, which will accommodate up to 5501 b of mail. The materials used in the construction of the Boeings meet with the British Array and Navy requirements for military planes, and the machines are provided with blue prints for conversion into bombers. They are of more recent design than the Vickers Vildebeeste torpedo bombers purchased by the Government, but have approximately the same load carrying capacity. The machines are banded and shielded throughout for Wireless installation, and have handoperated wheel brakes. The metal adjustable propeller is of the same type as was fitted to the Condor plane used by the Byrd expedition. Although, according to the telegram from Auckland, it is stated that the maximum speed of the Boeing is 130 miles per hour, it is understood locally that in a test flight the plane attained a top speed of 143 miles an hour, with a cruising speed of 125 miles.