MILITARY AVIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22714, 29 October 1935, Page 10

MILITARY AVIATION

THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS APPLICATION OF TELEVISION (Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND, October 28. The latest developments in aviation in England were discussed by Flying-officer Morrish, who recently completed a shortservice commission of five years in the Royal Air Force, upon his return to New Zealand to-day by the Marama. Flying Officer Morrish is the son of Mr G. H. Morrish, of Whangarei. " One of the main developments in the Royal Air Force," he said, " is the introduction of the monoplane. This has just started, but 1 predict that in time this type of machine will take the place of the biplane. It looks as if the Air Force hus just wakened up to the fact that the monoplane is superior in general utility to the biplane. It is faster and there is less maintenance required on it. In accordance with the recr-.t decision of the British Government to build up the Air Force to wartime strength and to keep pace with other countries there is much activity at present. Additional flying training schools have been established, the number of squadrons has been increased, and more air armament training camps have been established. "At present England is very badly off for long-range bombers," continued Flying Officer Morrish. "It is doubtful if the interceptors now scattered on the south coast and about London would be of much use in case of attack, especially as the invading bombers would probably come at night. Comparatively speaking, the present British bombers are hopelessly inefficient, having a short range and a low bomb-carrying capacity. This position has been brought about !>y lack of finance." * Flying Officer Morrish predicted a marked advance in the use of television in the near future in army co-operation work. At present, he said, too much delay was caused by the system under which photographs had to be taken from the air and prints taken off before the commanding army officers could see the result. In future, he thought, aircraft would be fitted with television cameras which would enable the general to view the battlefield at the same time r._ the pilot and observer. While in England Mr Morrish was one of the first men in the Royal Air Force to receive instruction in piloting an autogiro. After a period of experiment this type of machine had now become part of the general equipment. "It seems likely that the autogiro will be used principally for intercommunication work," he : lid. " It will serve a useful purpose for communicating between the army command and the air squadrons attached to it, and also for taking generals up to survey the disposition of troops. Flying Officer Morrish holds the view that a large force of a.roplanes is essential for the adequate defence of New Zealand. "What the Dominion requires, I think, is a number of torpedo-carrying aircraft protected by fighting machines. The aircraft carriers of an attacking fleet are the ships to sink, and the torpedo is the most effective means of doing this." For young New Zealanders, Mr Morrish said, the Royal Air Force held wonderful prospects. The pay and holidays were good and the sport was excellent. It was advisable for intending ..pplicants, however, to possess a matriculation pass or, better still, a university degree. On the other hand, he warned those going into the Air Force as aircraft apprentices not to expect to g?t flying experience. An aircraft apprentice stood a very remote chance of becoming a pilot.