FIRST SUNDERLAND FOR TRANS-TASMAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 165, 18 July 1946, Page 4

FIRST SUNDERLAND FOR TRANS-TASMAN

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND (P.A.) Auckland, July 17. The first of three new Sunderland aircraft to bo used on the service between New Zealand and Australia, the Tasman Empire Airways flyingboat Tasman, reached Auckland this afternoon on her delivery flight from Britain. Two other boats, which are to be named the New Zealand and the Australia respectively. are expected to be in commisdon by the' middle of August to introduce a schedule of six services a week across the Tasman. Up to 30 passengers are accommodated in five luxurious compartments, four occupying the lower deck and one which ig reached by an easy carnoted staircase, being situated on the flight, deck. The flight from Sydney, which was accomplished in 6 hours 29 minutes, v.as described by Mr. A. E. Rudder, chairman of directors of Tasman Airways, who travelled as passenger, as the best he had ever experienced. He nd there could be no doubt that the Ta-man class of flying-boat was preeminent Vi pa-s- n mr comfort. Mr. Rudder said the Tasman would be put. into w vice as soon as it h-.vi boon used lor conversion training of tin* company's pilots. The reennd flv-ing-boaf. which was to be named the Now Zealand. was now delivered r id the third, the Australia, wan’d be b'l'r.Hiod bv the end of the month. ,\ll three should be in commission by (la* nii<'dl • of Au 'Ust aft-H delivers io S\.!ne> If.' crews of the British Ovoi cas* Airwavs Corpo'al ion. It was intended to run the Tasman 'ice on ii’- dav- of lb? v eel:. Mr Rudder added. If th? lißi'-c .iu'dilioi an extension. Urn’ would b" no reason why the should rot hi j n , -r>nr-o-j j (1 nine, or even I'2. flight.weekly.