TRANSTASMAN FLYING

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1930, Page 8

TRANSTASMAN FLYING

BELIEF IN THE POSSIBILITY AUCKLAND-WELLINGTON SERVICE, JUNKER REPRESENTATIVE’S VIEWS (By Wire —Special to News'.) Auckland, Last Night. Firm belief in the possibility of starting commercial flying between New Zealand and Australia was expressed by Mr. W. P. W iltshire, an English aviator who arrived by the Makura from Sydney today. He has been engaged in commercial flying in New Guinea. “I expect one of the big Junker monoplanes which are now being used in New Guinea and Australia will start a service between Auckland and Wellington before very long,” he said, "and I have no doubt there are possibilities of even larger machines being used in a regular trans-occan service between New Zealand and Australia via Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. These machines weigh 27J tons and carry 45 passengers 0r,.71W tons of freight. They have four engines and a cruising range of 2500 miles, and while I do not anticipate a direct service between Auckland and Sydney I have no doubt a profitable service is feasible by using the islands 1 mentioned as stopping places.” Mr. Wiltshire is acting as the advance agent for Junkers Limited, the great German firm of aircraft manufacturers whose representative, Mr. T. Scholl, is coming to the Dominion shortly. Large numbers of light machines of this make have been purchased in Australia during the past 18 months, said Mr.' Wiltshire, They are all metal machines suitable for club and private use and cost £BOO in Germany, to which must be added 20. per cent, duty, together with £3O for packing and £BO for freight. The heavier cabin type is used for passenger and freight services.