TOP-DRESSING BY AIR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26905, 18 October 1948, Page 6

TOP-DRESSING BY AIR

NEW PLANES ACQUIRED

PREVENTION OF EROSION P.A. WELLINGTON, Oct. 17. The Government has bought two Miles Aerovan aircraft to supplement the experimental work now being carried .out by the Royal New Zealand Air Force on aerial top-dress-ing. This was announced by the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, to-day. The Aerovan is a light, twin-engine freight aircraft of wooden construction, and the relative economy of this aircraft in flying makes it the most suitable civil aeroplane available for experimental purposes. Mr Jones emphasised, however, that these aircraft would probably not be suitable for other than experimental work. Certain valuable data had already been obtained by the use of an Air Force Avenger carrying a twoton load in limited trials at Ohakea and Raglan, but much more research was required before the technical details and general economics of this work could reasonably be assessed. “ The Government considers the research is fully justified in the longterm national interest to restore the productivity, of hill country and reduce erosion,” Mr Jones said. “It was arranged for the Royal New Zealand Air Force to conduct certain experiments which will be co-ordinated by the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council and will involve several other departments.” The Minister said that a great variety of problems was involved and it would be 18 months before any comprehensive report to the Government could be expected. Even if the experiments succeeded a very large aviation organisation would, be required to make any appreciable contribution to this national problem.