Most people by now have a rough 1 idea of the number of machines which have been entered for the London Melbourne Air Race in October, 1934, and it seems almost certain that intense interest will be felt both just prior to and during the race. We, in Shanghai, will have to rely upon re ports and photographs for the particulars of the many striking machines which will be used.
Our friends in Singapore will be better placed and should be able to catch a brief glimpse of those competitors who survive the gruelling ace which will be set up.
There can be litre doubt but that there will be a number of retirements, out it is sincerely to be hoped that these retirements will not cause any Joss of life as will almost certainly. bbe the case if a pilot is forced down uring one of the long sea crossings whicn must be made if the shortest Aistance is to be covered, Modern Fighting Craft Once again Shanghai has been favoured with the chance of seeing an ultra modern fighting alreratt. Particulars of the demonstration and machine appear on page 168 of this issue, We feel, however, that a certain number of people look upon this latest machine as simply a dem-monstration aeroplane and one which was specially lightened so as to be able to make its very spectacular flying possible. We have been assured and have had it proved to us that with the exception of actual ammunition and a gun, the full war time equipment was carried, which included a full set of radio including battery, oxygen cylinders and equip= ment for high altitude flying, ammun|- tion containers, sights, etc. ete. Ty is true that no passenger occupied the rear cockpit, but there was a. very good reason for that as everyone who saw the flying can readily appreciate, But in place of the passenger was cazsled an equivalent load of lead shot.
After reading these facts, it will be perfectly obvious that the high perfor~ mance and great manceuvrability was not obtained by artificial means.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.