7 Jon. 34.
Britain's chance of winning the Schneider Cup for the third successive time is now assured by the decision of the Government to afford provisional assistance to Britain's entry and; authorize the ce-operation of the Royal Air Force.. Fifteen months ago the Government announced that henceforth there would be no official participation in the world's great seaplane race. It was 'a purely sporting effort and the Government felt this character should be maintained although since the end of the war the race has been regarded as an international contest of air speed, encouraging Government participation for the _main~ tenance of prestige. The British Government's decision, it seems clear, will not impinge on this former declaration although civil aviation circles at Home disagreed with the contention that there was anything deroga~ tory in placing the tremendous resources of the Royal Air Force at the disposal of the private sponsors of the contest. From the telegraphed summary, it appears that the R.A.F. will operate and the Government will grant assistance on the distinct understanding that private sources, chiefly the Royal Aero Club and aeroplane builders, provide the funds so that there will be no expense to the public funds. In this respect, it should be pointed out that the total cost of winning the Jast Schneider race was in the neigh-Dourhood of £300,000, but the cost of defending it will be about £80,000.
The precise details of the Government's assistance are not stated but it is probable that the use of one of the special machines under test at Felixtowe will be given and the entrant machines will be piloted by members of the special high speed RAF, flight which wom the last race and also broke the world's record. Generally speak ing, the race with France and Italy next September will be contested with the same machines which won for Britain the cherished honour at Southampton in 1929, Although the objection, at first sight, might be raised at the advise bility of entering machines already two years old against the entries of other countries which have doubtless benefitted by the results of the last race yet there is no evidence to show that the British machines have boon surpassed, The nearest speed to the British maximum was below 300 miles an hour while the wining British machine annexed the trophy with 328.63. miles an hour, and afte wards Squadron-Leader Orlebar definitely clinched the record by the amazing speed of 357.7 miles an hour in the same machine, the Supermarine Rolls~ Royce "8.6." The principal advantage obtained by the private sponsors of the race from their persuasion of the Government (o reconsider the former decision lies in the fact that the services of these highly-trained R.A.F, officers are made available for the defence of the trophy. It is quite possible that from the ranks of civilian fliers an efficient team could be re-emited but the intensive and disciplined training over a period of at least three months to fit them for the tremendous pressure and strain of attempt ing speeds never before attained is a task which a civilian body could not advantageously unde take. Behind the Government's decision to overcome this difficulty can be seen the personal interest and influence of Mr., Ramsay MacDonald, the Premier, who has always been attracted to aviation and shares with the Prince of Wales a keen perception of the future'and a more than. enthusiastic enjoy ment of the high qualities and abilities of the R.A.F, personnel and especially of the high-speed flight at Felixtowe, Orlebar, Wagstaff and company who have covered themselves with so much glory in a very matter-of-fact manner.
Of the possible results of the race it is too early to speculate extensively. The Supermarine machine in which Britain places her confidence has never yet been tried out to the last ounce of speed. Secret trials have been conducted since the last race and.possibly another 25 miles an hour has been added to the last mark, Wind tunnel tests checked with actual performances have shown encouraging results but it is doubtful whether 400 miles an hour Will
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.