NEW AIR POWER

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20783, 18 April 1939, Page 10

NEW AIR POWER

DEFENCE OF BRITAIN PRODUCTION OF WARPLANES ORGANISATION OF INDUSTRY (Special to Times) LONDON, March 28 Most significant feature of Britain's new air power is the immense background provided by organised industry. Extensive new factories and major enlargements to existing - works have raised present and potential output of the professional aircraft industry to an unprecedented level. The resources of great engineering concerns outside the professional industry have been enlisted to supplement production. Overseas sources have been tapped. In Canada a substantial contract for Handley Page Hampden twin-engined bombers of long-range and formidable striking power is in course of fulfilment. In Australia an official British Mission has concluded arrangements to utilise the capacity of expanded local aircraft factories. Britain’s monthly rate of production has increased more Ilian fourfold since the beginning of 1038 and is still far from reaching its peak.

Evidence of Britain's technical supremacy is available in the official performance figures of aircraft supplied in great numbers to the Ser-

in the considered words of Sir Kingsley Wood, Secretary of State for Air, the Royal Air Force has to-day the “world’s best fighters and bombers.” The Air Minister added that “we have even better and faster types of bombers with a longer range, shortly coming forward.”

Present “first-line” strength of the Metropolitan Air Force, comprising the Commands which are charged primarily with home defence, amounts to 1750 aircraft. This figure takes no account of aeroplanes held in reserve, of the swelling power of the Fleet Air Arm, of the numerous squadrons stationed overseas, or of the large numbers of high-performance trainers which are considerably superior to the best fighters of the war. By the end of this year Metropolitan “first-line” strength alone is scheduled to reach —and will probably surpass—a total of 2370 aircraft. Output in 1914-18 The war effectiveness of the present Royal Air Force must rate high. Aircraft in service on the Western Front —chief theatre of war—at the end of the war numbered 1799, which was sufficient to assure air superiority. Of these 223 were temporarily grounded for maintenance or other reasons. Total first-line strength of the Royal Air Force in all theatres of war was 3300.

Aircraft production achieved by Britain during 1914-18 gives an idea of to-day’s potentialities. In October, 1918, British industry employed on aircraft production 347,112 hands, comprising 187,526 men, 126,54 4 women, and 33,042 boys. Britain produced 55,093 airframes and 41,034

engines. Over the whole period of the war German aggregate production from July, 1914, to January, 1919, was 47,437 airframes and 40,4 99 engines. Britain’s average monthly output, during 1918 was no less than 26-68 airframes and 1841 engines.

When the war ended, the Royal Air Fo-rce personnel amounted to 291,175, Including cadets and men under instruction. This year will see available in the Royal Air Force, its reserves, and auxiliary services, not less than 250,000 officers and men. Plainly, In the year of its majority, the Royal Rir Force possesses adequate means “to take arms against a sea of troubles. And, by opposing, end them.” Commonwealth Output Sir Kingsley Wood announces immediate action for the manufacture in Australia of airframes of British design suitable for Australian Air Force requirements and also for duties imposed on the Far Ea,st -Command of the Royal Air Force. He informed the House of Commons that the report of the official mission which has investigated the possibilities of aircraft production in Australia emphasised the extent to which the Commonwealth’s engineering resources had been developed in recent years. He added: “Full advantage will accordingly be taken of these resources by a system of widespread sub-contracting throughout the engineering industry. This will accelerate production in peace-time and create a capacity for expansion in emergency.” The Minister said that engines, certain materials and items of equipment would be supplied from England, ending completion of arrangements for their manufacture in Australia. He indicated that the manufacture of airframes would start “very shortly.” He was satisfied that there was sufficient skilled labour available in Australia. Training Air Pilots A new British light monoplane, designed for a elementary flying train, ing. will have a top speed" of 163 miles an hour and a cruising range of ! 600 miles. Design provides two j seats in tandem. A hood can he fitted to the pupil's cockpit for inj struction in “blind” flying by instruj ments alone. The aeroplane has a ! do Havilland C.ipsy-Six 203 h.p. airi cooled engine. Its designer is Aus- \ fralian-hnrn E. W. Percival. builder of i many famous record-breaking airj rraft. Flying Tankers j Two Handley Page .Harrow bombers. I especially adapted to refuel in midI air. Britain's transatlantic fleet of four j Slmrt 5. 30 seaplanes, are due for j dispatch t » Montreal aboard the liner 1 Bcaverbtirn. I Special accommodation arrangements I have had to be made to take these ! craft on the upper deck of the liner. Originally produced for the Royal Air Force as heavy bombers, the Harrows have been converted to tanker aircraft able to transfer 1000 gallons of fuel to airliners in flight, thus considerably increasing the range after take-off. .