BRITAIN’S LARGEST PLANE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18759, 16 July 1935, Page 12

BRITAIN’S LARGEST PLANE

TO HEAD A.I.F. DISPLAY ALL-METAL PLYING SHIPS GU LL - WING ED MONOPLONE (From a Special Correspondent) LONDON, June 4. Led by the largest heavier-than-air flying machine yet built in Great Brit ain—a biplane boat driven by six engines of 5750 maximum aggregate horsepower—a formation of seven multiengined flying boats will pass over Hen don aerodrome in the afternoon of June 29, providing one of the “high points” of the sixteenth Royal Air Force Display. “Short R6/28” is the official designation of the giant leader of the squadron. Fully laden, this majestic craft weighs 31 tons. In spite of her size, she is extremely fast, reaching a level speed of more than 150 miles an hour. Her cruising range is immense. Within her capacious metal hull is accommodation for a crew of 10. Included in her equipment are a heavy armament load, elaborate navigational apparatus, and al! of the paraphernalia of surface ships--anchors, riding lights, fog-horns, dinghy and so forth. Her wing spread is 120 ft from tip to tip. In length she measures SOft, and in height 30ft. Complete living quarters are provided for the crew. There is even a kitchen, with a stove, ice-chest and roomy store cupboards, where meals may readily be cooked for the crew. The sleeping quarters are exceptionally roomy and airy. MONOPLANE BOAT Next in point of size among the display squadron will be the Short Singapore four-engined biplane. This craft has been ordered in quantity by the Air Ministry for the re-equipment of Royal Air Force units; first squadron lo receive it is No. 205, which is stationed at Singapore. A third Short machine will be the R24/31 “gull-winged” monoplane boat, powered with two of the new Goshawk steam-cooled motors. Two Supermarine boats and two Saunders-Roe machines will make up the formation. There will be the Kestrel-powered Scapa, recently adopted as part of Royal Air Force standard equipment and the later, Pegasus-powered, boat built to meet the requirements of the official specification numbered R24/31. This latter machine has proved itself in official trials to be the fastest military flying boat yettested by the Royal Air Force. The Saunders-Roe London sesquiplane boat, for which the Ministry has placed a substantial order, will be watched with interest, Powered with two Pegasus motors, the London is notable for seaworthiness, robust structure and the comfortable accommodation it furnishes for the crew. An aphibian monoplane — the twin engined Saunders-Roe Cloud—will complete the formation.