LONG-RANGE TESTS PLANNED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20896, 27 November 1937, Page 17

LONG-RANGE TESTS PLANNED

EXPERIMENTAL TRIPS TO AUSTRALIA EXAMPLES OF PROGRESS IN AVIATION British Official Wireless (Received November 26, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, November 25. The Air Ministry in a statement emphasising the importance of longrange aircraft to civil aviation and the Royal Air Force, says: "The.normal evolution of aircraft design in recent years has brought about considerable increases in range and load carrying capacity. It has been decided to continue development work by making use of the existing type of aeroplane. Vickers Wellesley machines have been selected for the purpose, and a flight of three aeroplanes of this type will be equipped for investigation and development of the technique of long-range flying in relation to both operational purposes and design of aeroplanes. “Bristol Pegasus engines will be used with variable pitch airscrews. Wing Commander O. R. Gayford will be in command. “It is proposed to make trial flights along the England-Australia route in the spring of 1938. It is intended that one of these flights shall be made in connection with the New South Wales sesquicentenary celebrations.’’ Proposals Applauded “The Times,” In a leader, says: “Four years have passed since Great Britain attempted the world’s record long distance flight. The Air Force seizes the opportunity to pay a graceful tribute to Australia as a contribution to the sesquicentenary. The Air Ministry is to be congratulated on the thoroughness of the preparations, after so long a period of development without a demonstration. It has been wise to place the flight under the command of an officer who made the last long distance flight for Britain. The mere proposal to make the attempt with standard military aircraft is significant. The policy of the Air Council and the fruits which it has yielded in the design of aeroplanes and engines, if successful, will serve a most useful purpose, as a sample of progress, and especially as an assurance to British territories overseas, which might need, in an emergency to look to Britain for help.

The aeronautical writer in "The Times,” says that the flight of the Vickers machines to Australia may have only one stop, probably at Singapore. The designer has stated that the machine should have a range of 8000 miles in still air. Given favourable winds, this might allow a nonstop flight to Singapore. But a halt this side of Singapore might still allow for a non-stop flight to Sydney. Wing Commander Gayford’s experience will be used in training the pilots and planning the Journeys. Each ’plane will carry two pilots. RECORD ATTEMPTS SUGGESTED FLIGHTS TO AUSTRALIA MISS JEAN BATTEN AND BROADBENT United Press Association—By Electric Telegrapb—Copyright (Received November 26, 6.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, November 26. The “Daily Telegraph” states that an invitation to Miss Jean Batten to attempt a record England-Australia flight, simultaneously with an effort by H. F. Broadbent, is being considered. The flights would be made during the 150th anniversary celebrations of New South Wales. Mr Broadbent’s offer to attempt to break the record at that time has already been accepted, and others may also be asked to make an attempt on the record.