NEW AEROPLANE ORDERED

Southland Times, Issue 23208, 25 May 1937, Page 7

NEW AEROPLANE ORDERED

SOUTH WESTLAND SERVICE DE HAVILLAND DRAGONFLY A de Havilland Dragonfly is to be added to the fleet of Air Travel (N.Z.), Ltd., the company which operates the air service in South Westland. The company’s decision 4o buy the new machine, which will be the first of its type in New Zealand, was announced in Christchurch by the managing director, Mr J. C. Mercer. The order has been sent to England by cablegram, and it is expected that the machine _ will reach New Zealand about the middle of August. . The Dragonfly is a twin-engined biplane, similar to the de Havilland Dragon Rapides, used by Cook Strait Airways, only slightly smaller. The engines are four cylinder Gipsy Majors of 130 horse-power, giving a top speed of 147 miles an hour, and a cruising speed of about 125 miles an hour. The cruising range with normal fuel load is 885 miles. The 'aeroplane will hold its height with one engine only running. The cabin has two seats side by side in the nose, with dual controls. A single seat is behind, and a seat for two right across the back of the cabin. It is possible for short flights to fit an extra movable seat alongside the single seat, thus giving accommodation for a pilot and five passengers. The machine ordered will have an extra seat fitted, and another extra will be the provision of sliding windows in the cabin. The cabin door is on the port side, and is wide enough for two persons to get out at a time. Behind the cabin is a luggage compartment of 28 cubic feet capacity. Access to this is by a door on the starboard side. The Dragonfly will have full wireless equipment enabling communication either by Morse code or by direct speech through wireless -telephones. The two de Havilland Fox Moths owned by the company are also fitted with Gipsy Major engines, so that the engines of all the machines will be interchangeable. One of the Fox Moths was formerly owned by the Duke of Windsor when he was Prince of Wales. The Dragonfly will be the most modern machine in service in the South Island, and with its quick takeoff and short landing run, will be well suited for the South Westland service.