New Ford ’Plane

Holdens Purchase 3-Engined All-metal Monoplane

A NEW Ford three-engined aeroplane has been purchased in England for the New Guinea goldfields transport service, and will arrive in the Territory in March, announced Mr. H. W. Holden, chairman of directors of Messrs. Holden’s Air Trans port Services Ltd., in December.

The machine, a model 4AT all metal high wing monoplane, will be shipped in crates from London at the end of January.

It will be assembled at Holden’s workshops at Salamaua and will be in commission by the middle of April. The ’plane has seat ing accommodation for 12 passengers and a carrying capacity of 3,000 lbs. It had been in use in Great Britain and carries an English certificate of airworthiness.

Three new engines have been fitted and the latest equipment for the comfort and convenience of passengers installed. It is a dual controlled machine.

The Ford will be operated from Sala maua, being the first three-engined ’plane to be stationed there —Guinea Airways large machines are located at Lae. The ’plane will run on a regular schedule be tween Salamaua, Lae, and Bulolo, though when required will make trips to Moresby and other aerodromes in the Territory.

“The directors decided to purchase another machine for their service in May last,” said Mr. Holden, “but we experienced some difficulty in arranging facilities to ship a ’plane to New Guinea. When the Canberra crashed recently it became im perative that we should obtain a ’plane of large capacity as soon as possible.

“Our London agent secured this machine and satisfactory arrangements were ef fected to ship it to the Mandated Territory.

We are now considering buying in Europe a second aeroplane, not quite so large as the new Ford. Probably, it will be a Fok ker, though some good French machines have been inspected. We are also ne gotiating with a Sydney pilot to take up service with our company.

“The Ford has been tested exhaustively in England and proved able to land and take off efficiently when fully loaded,” con tinued Mr. Holden. “It can take off after a 200 yds. run, rising into the air at the rate of 1000 ft. per minute, and can land within 230 yds. Our only anxiety is that the condition of Logui ’drome (Salamaua) in New Guinea might make this difficult.

“After heavy rains—which are frequent in this area—the aerodrome becomes flooded and develops into a dreadful state.

At times it resembles a miniature lake.

Some time ago it was reported that the Administration intended to spend £5,000 reconstructing the ’drome, but so far nothing has eventuated.”

Since 1930, when the late Captain Les.

Holden, M.C., started the service with the old Canberra, the company has been steadily progressing. In addition to the new Ford it now has two DH 50’s, capable of carrying six passengers each; a “Waco,” carrying two passengers; and a single seater Moth. The staff comprises three pilots, Messrs. F. D. (Tommy) O’Dea, S.

E. Sutcliffe, and R. C. Brett, three engineers, two riggers, and about 30 natives.

The Salamaua office with a staff of four Europeans is managed by Mr. F. D. O’Dea.

Mr. Les Farmer, storekeeper at Wau, is in charge of Messrs. Holdens’ affairs in that district. At Salamaua the company has a hangar with room for three aeroplanes, and several cottages for the pilots. A big area of the Logui aerodrome has been rented from New Guinea Goldfields Ltd., who leased the land from the Administration.

When the landing-ground has been im proved Messrs. Holdens intend to erect a large and modern hangar.

The directors report that business opera tions during the past 11 months of the company’s financial year have been excel lent and they are confident of continuing the steady quarterly dividends, equal to 10 per cent, per annum, which have been maintained over a long period.