Important experimental spade-work in the design and building of United Kingdom civil aircraft of the future is now being actively pursued. Before the end of 1938 many of the present development plans will be well advanced and projects for the more distant future crystallized. Each year financial provision for experimental civil development is made in the Air Estimates. Realization of the importance of this work has become acute in official quarters, and the 1938 development plans allot £200,- 000 for approved ideas. Broadly, present ideas for the development of new high-performance airliners may be grouped in four categories. They comprise the construction of two medium-sized aeroplanes; of long-range "express" aeroplanes; of an improved form of the four-engined flying-boats of the kind that operate the Empire routes of Imperial Airways and successfully accomplished last year's series of experimental transatlantic flights; and lasüy, of the production of a colossus of the skies, far bigger than any airliner hitherto designed and built. The first, second and third lines of development may be regarded as immediate and shortly to be seen in an advanced state of fulfilment. In the first class a medium-sized airliner of all-metal construction is announced by the de Havilland company. The aeroplane, which is provisionally styled the D.H. 95, is a monoplane with an all-up weight of between 16,000 and 18,000 lb. Powered by two Bristol Perseus sleeve-valve engines, its estimated maximum speed is considerably in excess of 200 miles an hour. It will carry 12 to 18 passengers. The first machine of this type is expected to take the air late in the year, and it will go into quantity production, if adequate orders are received, early in 1939. Another medium-sized airliner for which a draft specification has been prepared will have zcetommodation for about 24 passengers and weigh fully laden between 24,000 and 26,000 1b. Suggestions, ideas and modifications relating to these plans are being got together, with help of air transport companies to whom they have been submitted eid a final specification will be drawn up soon,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.