FIRST DOMINION WITH AIR FORCE AT WAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 288, 6 December 1939, Page 7

FIRST DOMINION WITH AIR FORCE AT WAR

AUSTRALIAN SQUADRON TRAINING FORMIDABLE FLYING-BOATS TO BE USED. [ British Official Wifeless J RUGBY, Dec. 4. The formation or an Australian squadron for active service with the coastal command of the R.A.F. early in the New Year will mean that Australia will be the first Dominion to have a complete unit of its own air force in service in the European theatre. Members of the squadron already in this country are receiving intensive training in air reconnaissanceXand the application to war purposes of the big Short Sunderland flying-boats with which their unit has been equipped by the Commonwealth Government. Aircraft of the coastal command have flown about 2,500,000 miles on reconnaissance since the outbreak of war. Patrolling must be carried out in all sorts of weather and crews are often obliged to remain aloft a whole day. Always vigilant, they search the sea for U-boats and enemy warships and the air for hostile aircraft. They keep a watchful eye on British and neutral shipping and accompany British convoys for hundreds of miles on the way along the trade routes of the world. The Royal Australian Air Force Is well acquainted with the problems of overseas navigation and reconnaissance, although the Australians now here will be flying in conditions new to them The Sunderland flying-boats with which they are equipped are formidable aircraft, especially suited for long-range reconnaissance work over the sea. The standard armament of a Sunderland is powerful and comprehensive for both defence and attack. This high-wing monoplane weighs more than 20 tons yet with a wing area of more than 1500 square feet the machine has exceptional lift and can take off in 3.3 seconds. Four Bristol Pegasus radial engines develop 3360 horsepower. There is a crew of six but the machine can carry more than 20 people in addition.