IN THE AIR

Southland Times, Issue 18931, 3 May 1923, Page 5

IN THE AIR

LONDON-BERLIN SERVICE. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright). (Reuter’s Telegrams.) BERLIN, May 1. A British aeroplane from London to Berlin, which started at 10.30 this morning with five passengers, landed at its destination at 7.45 this evening after calling at Amsterdam, Bremen and Hamburg. The trip was entirely successful, despite unfavourable weather. WIRELESS CONTROL. LONDON, April 1. The Daily Chronicle’s aviation correspondent says secret experiments in the application of wireless control to aeroplanes demonstrated that Britain was not- behind any country in this development. Machines had been flown without pilots or crews, made to twist and turn by means of wireless, and to land at any desired spot. It was hoped shortly it would be possible to drop bombs from pilotless ’planes, thus completing investigations, which began in 1915. The experimental aviation ground has been fenced with electrified barbed wires and sentries are posted to ensure secrecy of experiments. BRITAIN’S UN PREPAREDNESS. LONDON, May 1. Sir Samuel Hoare (Secretary of the Air Ministry) speaking at the Constitution Club, appealed for a national air policy. He said that Britain’s air force in view of its obligations abroad, was not sufficiently strong for home defence. In view of Imperial developments he asked that the question of Imperial communications should have a prominent place on the Imperial Conference’s agenda. He wanted to see the British Empire take the lead in air power. BURNEY AIRSHIP SCHEME LONDON, May 1. It is understood there is a possibility that the Burney airship scheme may be delayed until the arrival of the Dominion representative at the Imperial Conference.