MODERN AIR TRANSPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22718, 2 November 1935, Page 10

MODERN AIR TRANSPORT

STRIKING PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD EXHIBITION IN SOMERSET LOUNGE A remarkable series of aerial and infra-red photographs, the purpose of which is to foster air-mindedness among the groundlings to whom this form of travel is as yet an untried venture, is at present being shown in the Somerset lounge, Savoy Buildings. These photographs, which are on loan from Imperial Airways, Ltd., and The Times. London, number over 200 and are masterpieces of the photographer's art, depicting 'n striking fashion the scenes which are every-day sights to the passengers and pilots of the giant Imperial Airways liners that ply over the various routes served by this company. The exhibition is under the charge of Messrs A. Crawford and R. Sherriff, who explain the technicalities of the huge air liners shown in six-feet enlargements, and describe the salient features of the photographs and scale models of different types of aircraft used on the routes. The infra-red photographs taken from the air during actual service trips show in amazing detail the characteristics of the countries over which the route to Australia lies. Among the most notable is one of the Himalaya Mountains, taken from a height of 15,000 feet and from a distance of some 300 miles. In this photograph the black ribbon of the mighty Ganges is seen winding through the intensely cultivated paddy fields, its course being traceable right back to the huge range of mountains which stands in sharp outline against the sky. The junction of the Ganges and the Jumna at Allahabad, where the Hindus congregate to bathe in the sacred waters, is another picture which commands attention, while the eye is caught by the remarkable cloud effects secured in yet another photograph which shows the city of Benares spread beneath a billowy stratum of white cumulus clouds.

The facilities provided for the passengers en route are the subject of a number It pictures, the luxurious rest houses at Jodhpur where the interior is of polished marble and the furnishings are of true Oriental splendour, being a monument to the Maharajah of Jodhpur, who erected the building and who, himse keen airman, desired that his State should lead India in air development. Proceeding in geographical sequence, the photographs depict Baronja Island, Burma, where sun-splashed sea girdling the rugged coast makes a picture of extraordinary beauty, the rice-fields of Java, looking from a high altitude ,W» a huge patchwork quilt, and magnificent panoramic views of Sydney Harbour which display the full extent of this famous waterway. Of peculiar interest to layman and expert alike are the scale models of aeroplanes and flying boats used by Imperia Airways. Every detail is complete, and portions cut away from the hulls show the disposition of passenger accommodation and the many facilities provided for travellers' comfort in these mighty machines.

Features of the service, which are stressed during the explanatory remarks, are the wide margin of safety observed, night flying being dispensed with, while rigorous overhauls of all machines at every stopping place reduce to an absolute minimum any chance of structural or engine failure. Details of the construction of the machines are also exhaustively explained, providing even for the uniniated convincing proof that the Imperial Airways Company's remarkable record of service was not fortuitous but rather the result of expert craftsman ship and organisation. The exhibition will be continued lor one week. Arrangements have been made to conduct 100 secondary school children round the exhibition each day, and the pictures, in addition to their significance regarding the value of air transport, should provide a valuable geographical study.