BRITISH AIRCRAFT

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 January 1948, Page 3

BRITISH AIRCRAFT

SNEERS RESENTED SOUTH AMERICAN SUCCESS Wellington, Jan. 14. “Those of us who know anything about aircraft and are thus able to say that British aircraft are the world’s best, are getting very tired of the constant outcry by alleged experts as to the shortcomings of the British aircraft industry and its products,” said Mr. N. E. Higgs, New Zealand representative of a number of British aviation interests today. Their outcry is spread throughout the Press of the world, and as a result, every New Zealander is aware of an acrimonious wrangle over British Overseas Airways’ operating loss for the year, and the likely political crisis over Tudor aircraft, which 8.0.A.C. is reported not to want on the North Atlantic route. “What has gone unnoticed is that British South American Airways have made a £40,000 profit in their first eight months of operation, and that same air line uses Tudor IV aircraft. Incidentally, South American air travelles have been most impessed by them, and British prestige has benefited vastly. “However, any New Zealander who has served with the Air Force in the European theatre will be best impressed by Air Vice-Marshal D. C. T Bennett, former Pathfinder chief, and now the energetic chief executive of British South American Airways, on the subject. “POPPYCOCK AND NONSENSE” After commenting that there was more poppycock and nonsense talked about aircraft than on any other subjectton earth in his statement following a 15,500-mile flight round South America in a Tudor, Air Marshal Bennett remarked that an the average he would say that the Tudor was better than most aircraft, in the success which it had achieved so early in its career. “ ‘British South American Airways have now had considerable experience with this type of aircraft, and have carried out extensive tropical tests in the Caribbean with it. Following these tests, a few minor adjustments were made, and on the last day of September British American Airways placed the first Tudoi* IV ai the disposal of the travelling public. Every seat was filled, and imst of the passengers were going liom London to Buenos Aires, 6000 nautica] miles. “ ‘I believe the best opinion of hte Tudor could be obtained from those passengers. Their enthusiasm I believe will speak for itself.’ “Air MarsTial Bennett also reported how impressed local officials were with the aircraft in Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Santiago, and Lisbon,’ concluded Mr. Higgs.