London, May 28.
Britain's new "hush-hush" flying battleship was one of the outstanding features of Empire Air Day, which was celebrated today on the biggest scale since its inauguration four years ago.
More {han 2000 aeroplanes took part in the displays, which were held at over 80 aerodromes all over the country.
Britain's "Hush-hush" plane was on view at Felixstowe, and was visited by hundreds of people during {he day. The new, secret type of aircraft is capable of carrying enough explosives to sink a battleship, 1t has two decks, and is fitted with revolving gun turrets in the nose and in the tail. Many details of this all-steel aircraft are being kept secret, including the power of ts four engines.
More than 80 Royal Air Force and civi) flying stations were open to the public throughout today. Each station arranged Us own characteristic flying display, and in addition aircraft for. mations visited both service stations and civil aerodromes, introducing types of aircraft which are unfamiliar in many of these districts.
Cardington Station, where work in preparation for the London balloon Barrage has been in progress, was open to the public for the first time.
In a message to Air Commodore J. A, Chamier, Secretary-General of the Air League of the British Empire, which has been collaborating with the Royal Air Force in the organization of the Empire Air Day programme, Sir Kingsley Wood, Air Secretary, said:
"Empire Air Day wil be cele-ated throughout Great Britain on the largest scale since its inauguration four years ago, Upwardg of 345,000 people visited · stations and aerodromes opened last year. 1 earnestly hope that twice that number will attend on this occasion, To those who may do so, I can.confidently promise a hearty welcome, and a convincing demonstration of the power and efficiency of the Royal Air Force."—Reuter, months, recording the highest figure since the creation of the force, all the men had been provided "with accommodation, equipment and training.
The weekly intake of the regular Army, the War Secretary concluded, was twice last year's figure—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.