An indication of the speed, comfort and safety which will typify Briths air lines of the near future is shown in today's announcement that the Ministry of Supply has ordered from Handley Page a number of their latest turbine driven Hermes V for introduction to the Empire air routes. Expected to be in the air in numbers next year, the Hermes V is a ship with an all-up weight of 38 tons, is powered by Theseus gas turbines with a total of nearly 10,00 equivilent take-off horse power. Cruising speed will be 343mph, range 3,070 miles. 63 passengers will travel at 30,000ft. in pressurised accommodation. Outstanding characteristics of this most revolutionary of air liners is its high top speed (351mph) its rapid rate of climb (1,950 ft per minute), its economy of operation (11s 3d per ten mile) and its luxurious passenger accommodation. Picture Shows: An artists impression of the Hermes V, Gas-turbine air liner in flight. 18 April 1947