TASMAN MAILS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22612, 2 July 1935, Page 12

TASMAN MAILS

; Weekly air service KINGSFORD SMITH’S PLAN SIX MONTHS* EXPERIMENT The statement that “ most of the mail from New Zealand for England and overseas at present forwarded via America could be diverted to the Via; Australia route if a trans-Tasman air service is established ” is made. by the Sydney Sun iu announcing that Sir Charles Kingsford Smith has submitted to the Federal Cabinet a comprehensive scheme for a trans-Tasman air service on an experimental basis over three or six months, using either huge American flying boats or land planes. Claiming that a service across the Tasman Sea is of such a nature that there is no precedent for it, and that it would be “folly to call for tenders on a basis which would commit the Government to a five-year contract,” Sir Charles Kingsford Smith is asking the Commonwealth Government to consider his plans to run the service on an experimental basis for a limited period to ascertain by experience just what is the best type of aircraft for the job. He proposes for the experimental service alternatively:—

1. A weekly service (inward and outward), using a four-engined Martin or Sikorsky flying boat capable of carrying respectively 35 passengers and 20001 b of mail matter, and 20 passengers and 20001 b mail matter.

2. A weekly service, using a Douglas two-engined land aircraft, carrying mails only.

FINANCIAL SUBSIDY WANTED. Whichever type of aircraft is chosen should, it is implied, be purchased by the two Governments. The contractor for the permanent service should take over the aircraft and other equipment used during the experimental stage. In the event of the recommended aircraft proving unsuitable —which Sir Charles considers most unlikely—it would not be depreciated to any extent, and still have a good resale value, which would offset any serious financial loss. His request for financial support, on the annual basis of subsidy granted to air lines, is based on the assumption that New Zealand will derive 60 per cent, of the benefits of a trans-Tasman

service. Support, he suggests, should be granted on the ratio of 60-40, the lesser percentage being contributed by Australia.' He feels that there Is no doubt that the New Zealand Government will co-operate if the Australian Government ratifies the principle of an experimental service.;' , - : • • ' - - • Should the-Government decide to call tenders, no tenderer would be prepared to base his proposals on a shorter period than five years, and the successful tenderer would "purchase machines which would possibly prove quite unsuitable for the Tasman service, Sir Charles states. He gives as a.precedent fiveyear contract for the Brisbane-Singapore air mail section;- which, he says, has afforded an effective “ object lesson ” in the economic impracticability Of the fiveyear contract basis,- Imperial Airways admitting that 'replacement of the type of machines employed will be necessary. TYPES OF FLYING BOATS. The Martin flying boat, which PanAmerican Airways propose to use.-for a trans-Pacific service from .California to Canton, cruises at over. 150 miles an hour, and, Sir Charles admits, can‘.fly perfectly at slightly reduced speeds on three of its four engines, and maintain height with only two engines working. It is larger and more expensive than the Sikorskjr Clipper 542, but the Sikorsky has a similar safety factor, and either type would be eminently suitable for trans-Tasinan conditions., ... There can be no compromise, however, Sir Charles says, on smaller flying boats. “I would definitely give the Douglas land machine, a longer life if down , in the Tasman than a flying boat of similar size, although either would have’ little chance in a really r. ugh sea,” he says. Sir Charles submits, ft is understood, that an efficient land machine will fly on one engine at its normal cruising horse-power, and emphasises that probably, the best of this type of aircraft is the Douglas. The failure of one engine of the Douglas on the recent transTasman jubilee mail flight would, have meant only the inconvenierce of reduced speed. . ■ BRITISH-BUILT DOUGLAS. All-metal planes of the Douglas class and large flying boats of the Martin and Sikorsky types could be built in England, but are not being built there at present. Even if it were possible to order such machines immediately ' it would be at least two years ■ before British manufacturers could produce and thoroughly test them. It was anticipated that, if the alternative scheme were adopted, a Britishbuilt Douglas could be secured forytbe service, the rights to hi did this. type having been secured recently by a manufacturer in England. • r It is understood that the proposal of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith is supported by a report on Tasman meteorological conditions by Captain P. G. Taylor and on a statement on aircraft radio equipment for such a service by Hr John Stannage. Sir Charles intends* to discuss fully the general plan with the New Zealand Government as soon as possible, since he -believes that a service should be instituted with a minimum of delay. Subsequently he will visit the United States and England so that a final and first-hand analysis of the relative merits of planes offering may be made. During the experimental phase of the service, it is suggested, mail would be surcharged, but when the 1937 proposals for the carriage of all first-class mail by air are adopted, letters will be sent from Australia, or even from England, to New Zealand for a twopenny stamp.