AIR FORCE PLANES

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1935, Page 5

AIR FORCE PLANES

NEW MACHINES TO BE USED. BOMB AND GUN EQUIPMENT. (British Official Wireless.) Rec. 5.5 p.m. Rugby, Sept. 2. Three flying-boats belonging to the No. 203 squadron of the Royal Air Force start to-morrow on a formation flight in four long stages to Basra. The flight is in connection with the re-equipment of the squadron with short Singapore biplanes each powered with four Rolls Royce Kestral liquid cooled engines. The flight is intended to provide further experience of cruises with halts made only at places under British control. The first stage is to Gibraltar, a distance of 1190 miles. Succeeding stages are: Gibraltar-Malta, 985 miles; MaltaAboukir, 920 miles; Aboukir-Basra, 1070 miles. ... , In view of its length no stage will be undertaken unless a favourable weather report is received. _ ' The planes are able to cruise on one fuel load for 1000 miles at an an average speed of 105 miles an hour. The ceiling is 15,000 feet. Built entirely of metal with an aluminium alloy predominant, the planes’ equipment includes cooking gear, sleeping berths and ample room for personal luggage. Three machine-gun stations are provided and a big load can be carried in the form of bombs or large torpedoes. ... , The squadron is to resume duties of the coastal patrol and reconnaisance of the Persian Gulf.