Jay Boag
An extract from James R. Boag’s new book:
USING THIS NEW AND EFFICIENT MEANS OF TRANSPORT
AIR SERVICE PROPOSAL
The waterside workers’ strike has again directed attention to the isolation of Tasmania during the constantly recurring social upheavals. Some time ago it was announced that the Civil Aviation Department was moving in the direction of establishing a service of seaplanes between Melbourne and Tasmania, and Lieut. McIntyre, who has just been appointed instructor to the South Australian Aero Club, was engaged for some time in making an aerial survey of the islands in Bass Strait.
Recently Senator Sampson, of Tasmania, asked what was the position in regard to the proposed service, and in reply the Minister for Defence (Sir William Glasgow) stated that an experimental service across Bass Strait would be carried out by the R.A.A.F. in the Southampton (twin Napier- Lion) flying boats, which are expected to arrive from England towards the end of the year.
“Seeing that there are, as yet, not many seaplane services operating in the world, it will,” he added, ” be necessary to carry out a certain amount of reconnaissance and experimental work before we can establish a commercial air service between Melbourne and Hobart. During winter months Bass Strait will be difficult to navigate because of fogs. It will take some time to get this service established on the same reliable and practical basis as the existing services; but. the Government is keenly desirous of utilising this new and efficient means of transport to expedite communications generally, and to bring the outback portions of the Commonwealth into closer touch with the more settled districts. Care must be taken to give intending tenderers for Tasmanian services time to prepare their estimates, and also to ensure the successful tenderers can be relied upon to carry out their contracts.
The first of the Supermarine Southhamptons, ordered by the Federal Government, was recently subjected to special tests at Felixstowe (Eng), and underwent overload trials at a total weight of well over 18,000 lb. This figure is 3,300 lb in excess of its normal load, and gives the amphibian a useful load of considerably more than 50 percent. The Supermarine, according to a report received from the Air Ministry, behaved in “extremely satisfactory” manner.”
The Register (Adelaide) 24 November 1927
WHAT AN AEROPLANE!
I never thought I would see such a beautiful big aeroplane. It is the latest from De Havilland, a DH89. It has four engines and can cruise at 142 m.p.h. and climb to a height of 17,400 feet. It is the fastest British- built passenger aircraft in the world and now holds the speed record for flying across the Strait, 1hr 50 minutes.
Inside it is luxurious and it makes me think back to seeing Mr. Delfosse Badgery at the Elwick Show Ground, when I was a boy, flying his Caudron with a 45hp motor and not a thought of a passenger. How times have changed in twenty years!
ARRIVAL OF MISS HOBART.
The arrival at Launceston yesterday of the De Havilland 12 passenger aeroplane, Miss Hobart marked an epoch in the history of Tasmanian communications. With the De Havilland Dragon Miss Launceston she will commence on Monday the subsidized daily mail and passenger service between Melbourne and Hobart, supplying also the Bass Strait link for the England to Australia service to start shortly. The Miss Hobart, which is equipped with four engines, is the largest aeroplane in Australia. Her appointments are luxurious, and she holds a world record for performance. She made a record flight across Bass Strait yesterday covering the distance in 1 hour 50 minutes. The previous record was held by Mr. E. Chaselling, who covered the journey in 1hr 58 min in a Fokker machine. The journey could have been accomplished in less time had not 10 minutes been lost by avoiding a heavy rain squall, the pilot having to head slightly into the cross wind all the way.
EXCELLENT ACCOMODATION
The new aeroplane is handsome in appearance and is so neatly designed that her large size is deceptive when in flight. The four Gypsy Six engines are situated in a row on the lower wing, and each is of 200hp making 800 horsepower in all. Her external and interior appointments were much admired by those who witnessed her arrival. The 12 seats ranged one behind the other along the length of the cabin are of an armchair type, very comfortably upholstered, and covered in grey morocco leather. An attractive shade of grey predominates in the whole colour scheme. Passengers will appreciate the fact that the enclosure has been especially constructed to make it sound proof, and ordinary conversation can be carried on without unduly raising the voice. The provision of visibility is excellent and by means of patent appliances each passenger is enabled to arrange ventilation to his or her own liking.
Smoking is permissible, and the independent air vents are arranged so that non-smokers will not be inconvenienced by smoke. Lavatory accommodation is provided at the rear of the cabin.
The Mercury, 29th September 1934
It seems quite strange to me that for so many years’ aviators flew over Bass Strait in single engine aeroplanes and none came to much harm but, since machines have become bigger, with two and now even four engines, there seem to be more accidents. As a mechanic I wonder whether it has to do with the change from radial engines to inline engines, although there are many machines flying safely with Gypsy motors. There has been many a bent undercarriage and broken propeller and the amphibians have been down on the sea quite often but never, until now, has there been loss of life in a large passenger-carrying aircraft accident over Bass Strait. But now we are shocked that our most modern, fastest, biggest airliner has gone missing with paying passengers on board.
AIRLINER MISS HOBART MISSING ON JOURNEY FROM LAUNCESTON TO MELBOURNE
TWO PILOTS AND NINE PASSENGERS
LAST REPORT NEAR WILSONS PROMONTARY
Mystery surrounds the disappearance of the Holyman’s air liner Miss Hobart which, carrying nine passengers and two pilots from Launceston to Melbourne yesterday, failed to reach its destination.
The machine reported by wireless at 10.20 a.m. that it was approaching the Victorian coast. There is some evidence of its having passed over Wilson’s Promontory but nothing further has been heard of it.
A search of the coast by aeroplane yesterday afternoon proved fruitless. An Air Force flying boat and three other aeroplanes will continue the search. The liner was due in Melbourne about noon. It was one of the latest types of four engine aeroplanes.
