SUPREMACY IN THE AIR.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18554, 29 April 1930, Page 9

SUPREMACY IN THE AIR.

France’s Mystery Machines. BIG PROGRESS FORECASTED. (United Press Association—By Electrle Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, April 27. An aeroplane capable of flying threequarters of the distance to Australia, non-stop, is on the verge of completion in France. It is designed by the famous M. Louis Bleriot, and is an immense monoplane, more perfectly streamlined than any other existing flying craft. The weight is so lessened that it can ascend with a tremendous load of petrol. Meanwhile, so rapid is the general improvement of aircraft that British Air circles confidently predict the phenomenal speed of seven miles a minute. British seaplanes are at present undergoing modifications for the approaching tests of speed and could be allied with M. Bleriot’s petrol carrier. ,It would mean that thje Australian coast could be reached from London in a little more than twenty-four hours. ROUND AUSTRALIA. ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL FLIGHT. (United Press Association— By EieetrlO Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, April 28. Pilots Bardsley, Annabel and Wedgwood arrived at Mascot, having completed a round Australia flight in Moth ’planes in 18 days, the actual flying time being 82 hours. TOUR OF EUROPE. SUCCESS OF AMATEUR AIRMEN. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Cop yright.) LONDON, April 27. Nine amateur aviators arrived back after a ten-day tour of Europe. They visited Paris, Vienna, Prague, Rome, Berlin and Amsterdam, flying 3000 miles, at an average cost of oil and petrol of only £2O, the cheapest travel they had known. FRENCH AIR FORCES. TRAINED RESERVE OF OFFICERS

(United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) PARIS, April 27. The Air Ministry announced, that la order to provide a reserve of trained aviators, it is willing to pay half the cost and maintenance of privately owned aeroplanes built in France.