FLIGHT TO PHILIPPINES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 83, 9 April 1934, Page 7

FLIGHT TO PHILIPPINES

BRITISH FLYING-BOATS. MUC H-TR AV E LLE D SQ UAD RON. [ British Official Wirek.** 1 Received April 8, 5.5 p.m. RUGBY', April 7. A flying-boat squadron which left Singapore early this week, is engaged on a cruise which will last about live weeks, and will include halts of a week in Manila (Philippines) and tea days at Hongkong. This will bo the first time a Royal Air Force squadron has visited United States territory. The flight is being made by members of the 205th Squadron, which has made many long-distance formation flights. In 1927-28 it made a cruise of 28,000 miles, and in 1932 made another , cruise of 20,000 miles. It is equipped with Southampton twin-engined flying i oats, which have proved of great value of flights where there are no natural landing grounds and the preparation of aerodromes is costly and difficult. On the way to the Philippines, where Eiiee calls will be made, the flyingboats will alight at Sibu in Borneo, and after a visit to Hongkong they will make their way to the Federated Malay States by way of the Portuguese possession of Macao and three ports in Fiench Indo-China. The last call, be fore returning to the base at Sing.i pore, will be Koda Bah rue in in the Federated Malay States. The longest section of the trip will be between the Philippines and Hong Long, a distance of 500 miles over the open sea.