FASTER AIR MAILS

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1934, Page 9

FASTER AIR MAILS

LONDON TO AUSTRALIA ROUTE. LESSONS OF CENTENARY RACE. Sydney, Nov. 2. As a result of the remarkable speeds achieved during the great air race to Melbourne there has been a marked disposition on all sides to ridicule the 14 days’ schedule for mail aeroplanes from England to Australia under the contract soon to operate. When the plan was first mooted there was a demand for greater speed, but to this the Government turned a deaf ear and, in effect, defied public opinion. It was maintained that a faster service would not be practicable, dependable or reliable. Every possible argument was used against a speeding up, and the Federal authorities went serenely on their way. Then came the air race, which showed very definitely the capabilities of the great air mail machines. The wonderful record of the giant Douglas, piloted by the Dutchmen Parmentier and Moll, was held up as an example to the authorities, and it is certain that this machine, designed for loads, taught a great lesson. “Are the Dutch to beat us?” the Government was asked, and it would seem that sheer pressure of public opinion has forcecf the authorities to review the whole position. The statement made this week by the new Postmaster-General, Senator McLachlan, that a substantial acceleration of the air mail service from London will be effected, has been generously applauded. Important conferences to this end have already been held at Canberra, and have been attended by the Australian representative of Imperial Airways. It was learned that the British designers have, been working in secret for some time on the perfecting of the huge Atalanta machines which will be engaged in the London-Singapore section of the service. These" will, be given a greater cruising range, and it is probable than another 50 miles an hour will be added to their speed.

It is generally recognised that the fast pace of the air race participants could not be reproduced in the mail services, because the wear and tear on the machines and the strain on the men would be too great. However, it is certain that the mail service- can be speeded up, and there is a suggestion that the 14 days will eventually be reduced to eight at least. However, the Government’s immediate plans are to get the service operating on the 14-day schedule, and then Idter to provide for a gradual speeding up. To provide adequate landing grounds for the faster machines of the heavy Atalanta type it will be necessary to increase the space at the various aerodromes along the route, and this aspect of the problem is already receiving attention.