LANDING TO-DAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12726, 22 August 1919, Page 5

LANDING TO-DAY.

WAR ’PLANES AT LYTTELTON. DESCRIBED BY COLONEL BETTINGTON, 'Hie four aeroplanes sent, out by the Imperial Government for the use of C6lonol A. V. Bettington during his visit to New Zealand are expected to land at Lyttelton to-day from the s.s. Matatua. The consignment includes two I>.H.’s, fast two-seated day bombing machines, and two Bristol fighters, a smaller faster type, twoseated, with which great execution was done among the enemy aircraft by British. aviators. A COSTLY CONSIGNMENT. The machines_ that are being landed at Lyttelton will be sent on to the Sockburu aerodrome at the earliest opportunity, and will ho assembled there under the direction of Captain Don, who has two Air Force mechanics and two riggers under him. This work may take a little time, as there are a great many cases to be unpacked. Numerous spare planes and propellers have come with the engines, hut the, most interesting part of the consignment will ho the Rolls-fßovce engines, which are quite new to Now Zealand. Captain Don will test the machines after assembly, and. Colonel Bettington will fly them over Christchurch. NO INTER-ISLAND FLIGHT. One of tho feats yet to he performed is the crossing of Cook Strait by aeroplane, but Colonel Bettington does not hold out any prospect of its accomplishment in the absence, of an aerodrome, at ‘Wellington. To an "Evening Post " interviewer lie stated ypstorday that a lading on unsuitable ground would bo an unwarranted risk to take with very valuable machines., “ Perhaps." said Colonel Bettington, “ I had better explain the conditions under which these machines were brought out- Before leaving England 1 asked the Imperial Government to allow me to takfe these machines out; it was decided that the Air Ministry should bear the whole cost, _ and tho machines, etc., were to remain tho property of the Imperial Government. They arc not part of tho gift machines offered to the New Zealand Government. The machines with spares, etc., which are worth upwards of £20,000. were not intended for any special demonstration, but rather for the personal use of myself and staff. Now as an expert I say candidly that it would be impossible to fully demonstrate the possibilities of aerial travel with these machines, as there are not suitable landing places or aerodromes .other than at Christchurch itself. They are purely war machines, primarily designed for speed and climb, with little thought for slow landing; consequently, the space required is very much larger than would bo needed for slower ones or those designed for commercial or peace-time use. The slower machines at, present in use at Auckland and Christchurch can land safely while going at the rate of twenty-five miles per D.H.4’s and Bristol Fighters is between hour, whereas tho landing speed of the fifty-five and sixty miles an hour—considerably more than tho average top speed of motor-cars on tho best of roads. When it is also borne in mind that the under carriage and wheels are of the lightest construction, only a little stouter than ordinary motor-cycle wheels, it will be understood that good level grounds with open access arc essential. The possibility of landing without damaging the machine at Wellington is therefore remote until an aerodrome is made; another difficulty is the absence of hangars, and it is not proposed to expose the machines to weather and rain unduly, ios I have to account to the Air Ministry for them, A similar difficulty would be experienced at Auckland, and at every other place. Consequently, too much should not he expected of these machines in the first instance, and I trust the public will not be unduly disappointed if they are not seen at Wellington until an aerodrome is available.” Colonel Bettington added that he expected to be able to fly the machines ini Christchurch within a week or ten days.