Fast New Planes

For N.G.

Lockheed Electra Makes Records

new Lockheed Electra monoplane, imported from America to Australia by Guinea Airways Ltd. for use in New Guinea, has been making aviation his tory in Australia.

Having been assembled in Adelaide, and tested, and christened “C. J. Levien,” it was flown to Melbourne (where it made exhibition flights), and on September 5 it flew from Melbourne to Sydney in the commercial-record time of 2 hours 26 minutes —an average of 190 miles per hour. Mr. E. H. Chater, manager of Guinea Airways Ltd., was in charge, with Mr. T. O’Dea (manager of Holden’s Air Transport Co.) as co-pilot.

Many people inspected the beautiful machine in Sydney, and enjoyed exhibi tion flights. On September 12 the Lock heed was flown from Sydney to Brisbane, again in fast time. Messrs. Chater and O’Dea were pilots; and Mrs. O’Dea, and George Gurr (engineer) were also aboard.

Departure from Brisbane for Port Mores by (fixed for September 15) was delayed owing to the machine being slightly damaged while giving exhibition flights in Brisbane.

Ft. DOUGLAS TO WAU IN 4 HOURS The Lockheed left Brisbane on the 18th, called at Rockhampton and Townsville, and landed on Port Douglas beach five hours later. She left again before dawn on Saturday, September 19, and arrived at Wau, New Guinea, at 9.45 a.m., after an uneventful trip of 4 hours 10 minutes.

Mr. Fred Haig, aviation officer for the oil company, accompanied the ’plane, to examine the route for the proposed air mail route between New Guinea and Sydney. A radio operator, with complete equipment installed by A.W.A., joined the ’plane in Brisbane.

It is understood that, if Guinea Airways Ltd. are the successful tenderers for the N.G.-Sydney air mail service, this ma

chine, and another of the same type now on order, will be used in the service.

New Avro For Carpenter

Airways

Another remarkable aeroplane, for us© in the New Guinea service, arrived in Sydney on August 24 to the order of Carpenter Airways, and is now being assembled and tested at Mascot. It is an Avro 642 commercial monoplane, and is the first of its type to be seen in Aus tralia.

Sir Walter Carpenter said that his company intended tendering for the New Guinea air service, and, if successful, the

company would use the Avro on that route. The ’plane, which was the second largest passenger ’plane in Australia, had accommodation for 16 travellers, in addi tion to pilots. It was equipped with two engines, and had a cruising speed of 150 miles an hour, and a range of 800 miles.

Sir Walter pointed out that the longest stretch over water between Australia and New Guinea was 350 miles, and, if the northern route was utilised, it would be only 50 or 60 miles.

Mr. E. H. Chater (pilot) and Mr.

“Tommy” O'Dea (co-pilot), who flew the monoplane to New Guinea.

The Lockheed Electra on Essendon Aerodrome, Melbourne, after completing a fast record flight from Adelaide.