AIR FORCE EXPANSION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 211, 6 August 1937, Page 7

AIR FORCE EXPANSION

GOOD PROGRESS MADE. WILL BE SECOND TO NONE. NEW TYPES OF ’PLANES. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received August 6, 11.55 a.m. BUGBY, Aug 5. The latest official figures of the Royal Air Force strength in aircraft and personnel indicate that the expansion programme is making very satisfactory progress. The new service stations and armament already total 22. The strength of the Metropolitan Air Force (home defence units, army co-operation squadrons, and the coastal command) is now 123, with 1542 first-line aircraft. This is an increase of 137 per cent, over the pre-expansion strength and approximately 200 aeroplanes less than the first-line total ol the Aletropolitan Ail Force strength envisaged for the end of the programme. Behind tho ultimate total of 1750 first-line aircraft and 900 first-line aircraft of tho overseas squadrons and tho Fleet Air Arm, will be the full war reserves of aircraft armament equipment and supplies to justify the claim of the Royal Air Force to be second to none in strength of defence and counter attack.

Since April 1, 1935,. approximately 3500 pilots have been selected for service and 3100 have begun training. The total airmen entered since that date number 22,300. A tremendous increase in the striking power lias been made available by the creation of new types of British fighting and bombing ’planes. Squadron after squadron is receiving bombing aeroplanes capable of great speeds and carrying bigger loads over the distances demanded by the strategy of Home and Imperial protection. The fighters are also more heavily armed and eapablo of speeds well over 300 miles an hour.