AEROPLANE ORDERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21530, 18 December 1939, Page 5

AEROPLANE ORDERS

Millions Spent In America United Press Association-By Electric 1 elegraph Copy right (Received December 17, 7.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 16. The latest British and French orders for aeroplanes will increase European orders in the last 18 months to 3800, valued at more than 359,000,000 dollars. The aviation writer of the "New York Times” declared that the British and French Commission’s orders for military supplies are relatively small. Some are educational but large contracts may be expected later, probably increasing the total war contracts to a thousand millions in the next six months. The writer estimates that total aeroplane orders are:— France: 850 Curtiss pursuit, 370 j Douglas bombers, 200 N.A. trainers. 245 | Martin bombers, 40 Voight dive | bombers. Britain: 1200 N.A. trainers, 450 Lockheed bombers, and rn unspectified number of consolidated flying-boats. Canada: 80 N.A. trainers, 15 Lockheed bombers, 15 Douglas bombers. Australia: 100 Lockheeds. Sweden: 134 pursuit ’planes. Belgium: 40 pursuit 'planes. Engine orders include France 60,000,000 dollars, Britain and France | 62.000.000 dollars. The writer adds that exporters of I general supplies and foodstuffs are at present disappointed at the small orders. Bombers For Army The Washington correspondent of the "New York Times’ says that the j Army is seeking 4,000,000 dollars to build five bombers twice the size of the I flying fortresses. It is understood that they will weigh 70.0001 b unloaded. ! compared with the 38,0001 b of the fort- ; resses. There are to be four motors I each of 2000 horsepower with a flying I range of 5600 miles unloaded. I ’