1937-11-06 — Page 2

THE CHINA MAIL,

BRITISH SCHEME TO DEVELOP HUGE AIR-LINERS

To stimulate the design of a class of air liner hitherto neglected by Great Britain the Air Ministry is, it is understood, considering a departmental proposal for a prize competition.

Unavoidable circumstances have led to the neglect by Britain of the class of air liner capable of carry- ing about 20 passengers. Manufac turers have for long past been de- pendent on Air Ministry orders, and because of the RAF expansion pro- gramme at the present time they have been able to build other types.

?

On the commercial side develop- ment of aircraft has been largely dictated by the policy adopted by Imperial Airways, which has led to specialisation in very big land and sea aeroplanes. For these there has been no foreign demand lead- ing to an increase in our produc- →tion resouICES. :

Inland Air Services

That British designers are able to supply what is needed is shown by the success of a smaller class of air liner seating from six to 12 passengers

obtain American aircraft

M

Development of inland air ser- vices in Great Britain was begun only recently and is proceeding very slowly. Lacking suitable types, British airline operators of mail

Competition is not limited to this with sufficiently big prizes, concer-British manufacturers services to the Continent recently type. A smaller passenger ma-ed for the special purpose of pro- had, with Air Ministry sanction, to chine, the Lockheed "Electra, has ducing a type, or types, sure of Ministry competition for commer

It is 17 years since the last Air-

also won a footing in the world finding a market with our own air cial aircraft was held. Without a big demand aircraft market

lines and calculated to find favour £56,000 offered cannot be produced at a reasonable cost. Because of this American

abroad, should prove an incentive to £44,000 was awarded. manufacturers have long had the America is, moreover, about advantage of orders for the exten-challenge the world with a big four- sive air line system of the United engined Douglas land aeroplane, States.

which has already been ordered for

A party of officers of the German Air Force, led by General Milch, the Air Minister, visited the RAF bomber station at Mildenhall on October 19 The party came in England making a fe procal visit to that paid to Germany by RAF officers in January. Photo shows:---The party insp ing Blenheim bombers at Mildenhall (Fox Copyright By Air Mail).

Big Prizes Needed

to

ser-

This has operated so powerfully the Dutch Amsterdam-Batavia that the Douglas air liner, the out- vice. It is in the 40-seater class, in standing American success, is wide- which Britain led the way for many ly used by European air line opera- years.

tors.

An Air Ministry competition,

in

Out of prizes

4 DAYS

PENANG-LONDON Dep: SUN, WED; FRE

5% DAYS

SINGAPORE-LONDON Dep: SAT, TUE; THUR

Special

Through Fares Government Officials

and Officers

10% Reduction-

KLM

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