BRITISH BOMBERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19454, 13 October 1937, Page 10

BRITISH BOMBERS

IMPROVED PERFORMANCE > NEW CLASSIFICATION LONDON, Sept. 23. more striking commentary on the rapid development in the performance of British warplanes can be obtained than the fact that the Air Ministry has decided, to abolish the sub-classifications of light, medium, and heavy bomber in the names of squadrons. All bomber squadrons are now to be called simply bomber squadrons. An official of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors, Limited, said that aeroplanes generally regarded as medium bombers to-day carry as heavy a military load as the bombers of the past. Future craft will carry even more. The flying-boat units, including those now combing tiic Mediterranean, will henceforth be officially reconnaissance squadrons. Hitherto this designation has been confined to seven squadrons of twin-engined monoplanes (often Avro Anson machines of the type with which two Australian squadrons are equipped), used to patrol the narrow seas. The change does not indicate that the service is abandoning seaplanes. On the contrary, their value is fully appreciated by the air stafT, and considerable numbers of new flying-boats have been ordered.