AIR TRANSPORT NEWS
Page 55
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Liverpool-Isle of Man Direct.
Arrangements have been made for the inauguration in June by Blackpool and West Coast Air Services, Ltd., of a daily service from Liverpool to the Isle of Man, to be maintained by a De Haytiland Dragon twin-engined biplane. It is not intended that the machine should call at Southport and Blackpool prior to making the crosschannel flight.
Heston Traffic Last Week.
During last week 24 customs clearances in respect of oversea flights were registered at Heston Airport, and the total of clearances this year up to date is 53 per cent, higher than in the corresponding period of 1932. The machine, of Spartan Air Lines, Ltd. (illustrated on the opposite page), has been running its two daily services with strict regularity and carrying quite a number of passengers.
Mr. Edgar Percival, of the Percival Aircraft Co., made a quick trip to Paris in his Percival Gull (Napier engine), covering the outward journey in 100 minutes and the return journey in-101 minutes. A Gull is illustrated on this page. Either a four-cylindered_ (Gipsy or Hermes) engine or a Napier sixcylindered unit can be fitted.
A Dragon's Fast Journey.
We have just learnt that the De Havillaud Dragon of Midland and Scottish Air Ferries, Ltd. (Mr. J. C. Sword's concern), which took a Leyland party to the Gleneagles Conference of the Scottish Tramways and Transport Association last week, made the journey from Blackpool at an average speed of 125 m.p.h.
Hillman's Traffic Figures.
Messrs. Hillman'a Airways, Romford, give us the following numbers of passengers carried in the week to May 28 :— Romford-Clacton Tine, 9 single journeys ; Romford-Margate line, 6; RomfordParis line, 33.
Machines at R.A.F. Pageant.
The Royal Air Force 14th display will be held at Hendon on June 24. It is hoped that the Boulton and Paul fast mail carrier and a Hawker Hawsley machine having the new Rolls-Royce Condor oil engine will be present, as well as other interesting machines.
Liverpool Club Report.
Major R. H. Thornton, in the annual report of the Liverpool and District Aero Club, said this year would see the opening of the Liverpool municipal aerodrome at Speke. Modern aircraft, he said; render possible the unsubsidised' operation of commercial air transport, for they show marked advance in economy of operation.
Since the formation of the club, in 1928, its aircraft have flown 8,361 hours, or, say, 670,000 miles, without personal injury. The club has now 297 flying and associate members, which is. a gratifying result.
Aerodrome Plans for Newport.
Negotiations are proceeding between local municipalities for the reservation of a site of 210 acres near Duffryn Farm, St. Mellon's, as an aerodrome for Newport. The site is understood to measure about 1,000 yards in diameter and the Newport Council will probably undertake to pay any compensation that may arise from the reservation. The Ministry of Health is being consulted concerning certain opposition.
Essex Company's Intentions.
With reference to the announcement in our issue dated March 24 of the formation of Commercial Airways (Essex), Ltd., with a base at Loughton Aerodrome, Abridge, the company advises that particulars of its proposed air lines cannot yet be furnished. The company's letter paper bears an announcement of regular air services to Leicester, Nottingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Liverpool.
Swansea Approaches Ministry.
Swansea Corporation Parliamentary committee decided a few days ago to ask the Air Ministry for expert aid in the formation of an aerodrome provision scheme for the borough.
I3.A.N. Co.'s Busy Week.
The British Air Navigation Co., Ltd., has had a busy week, its machines having covered 6,393 miles. This includes three trips to Cornwall, one to Ireland, and one to• Derck. One in
teresting flight was made to Hucknall, testing a short-wave wireless receiver, on which messages broadcast at 5 m. wavelength. were clearly heard 150 miles away., A lot of serious privatecharter work is done by this concern.
A Fast Ferry Boat.
In regard to possible SouthamptonIsle of Wight air services, it is interesting to note that the British Power Boat Co., Hythe, Southampton, has supplied to the Isle of Wight Steam Packet Co., Ltd., a Sea-Coach 12-passenger motor boat which cruises at 30 m.p.h., and makes the Southampton-Cowes journey in 26 minutes, against about one hour by the normal steamer service.
New Two-stroke Aero Engine.
A former officer of the R.A.F., hIr. G. P. Devaney, has recently perfected a design for a high-efficiency two-stroke engine which is being developed by the Low Engineering Co. Ltd., Grand Buildings Trafalgar Square, London, W.C.2. There are three valves in the head of each cylinder ; one admits rich mixture, whilst the other two, which work alternately, supply pure air.
Harrogate Scheme Progreasing.
The finance committee of Harrogate Corporation has approved in principle a scheme for an aerodrome, probably on. land at Beckwithshaw, which is owned by the corporation.
Yarmouth Aerodrome Position.
Yarmouth,Corporation has decided to obtain an estimate. of the cost of purchasing and preparing for aerodrome purposes the Gorleston Estate, belonging to Magdalen College, which contains approximately 958. acres.