IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16454, 5 June 1919, Page 3

IN THE AIR.

ANOTHER BRITISH PLANE,

TO ATTEMPT TRANS-ATLANTIC

FLIGHT.

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright,

(Received June 6, 10.35 a.m.)

NEW YORK, June 4. The St. Johns’ correspondent of the New York Times states that the Vickers-Vimy bombing plane which will attempt the trans-Atlantic flight has arrived and tho work of unloading has begun under the direction of the phot Aicock and tiie navigator Brown, the piano will occupy Hawker’s hangar. It is believed that, after a brief test, the machine will bo flown to Harbour Grace, whence a start will be made. Aicock and Brown-are members of the Royal Flying Corps and were captured by tho Germans daring the war. They expect to bo ready to make the flight before the Handley-Pago, which is making preparations. Tiic Yimy piano is fitted out with twin 330 horse power eight cylinder Eagle-Rolls-Royce engines and carries 865 gallons of petrol. The plane has a speed of 00 miles an hour and a cruising range of ‘2400 miles.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ADMIRALTY EXPLANATION

WHY ATLANTIC WAS NOT PATROLLED.

(Received Juno 5, 12.40 p.m.) LONDON, May 24

Questioned in connection with criticisms from Australia regarding the nonassistance of Hawker, the Admiralty has painted out tho extreme difficulty of arranging to patrol tho Atlantic, especially when the British Navy wwi engaged in war operations in four areas. The public had no idea what an efficient ocean patrol meant. It would necessitate the use of .scores of ships and entail tremendous expense. We had experience what the search for aviators meant in the North Sea during tho war when flotillas were frequently scut out. but only on one occasion gave efficient aid to aviators. Warships were virtually useless. The proper method of assisting was to send seaplanes to locate tho missing aviators. No date was fixed for Hawker’s departure and warships might have been patrolling tho ocean for months.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.