A CHRISTCHURCH AEROPLANE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 539, 21 June 1909, Page 7

A CHRISTCHURCH AEROPLANE.

TO RESUBMITTED TO THE WAR OFFICE. -';.'.•■•' (By. Correspondent.) -/'. :''■.■.■■ ; : '.; .-- '■■:■'■<-} Christchurch, Juno 19. : ■■'. : Mr. Oswald Coates, of Christchnroh, who ■has been studying the subject of aeroplanes fori about, forty years, has constructed the model of a machine which ho intends to offer to tho British: Government, and.he will.leave for London in ; a' few:days in order to place his proposals before the Home Government. Speaking. to 1 ayreporter "last..:- evening;'' -be' said that the plans, which ho had prepared many years ago,-were far in advance of anything at .vthat tiroo.. Hehad let tho matter drop,'; but' recently it had been again 'brought 'up/partly on account of the fact tbat'engine3 sufficiently light for the purpose could be obtained. Not long ago ho'had seen a kinematograph picture • of' Mr. Wilbur Wright's machine,'; and these induced him to go on with bis; project. His machine, with tho same beam(loft.) as that of Wright Bros., would havo a lifting surface of 1620Tt., against thoir lifting surface of 600 ft. On account of ihore engine' power, ■ ho could also develop a' c higher rate of speed, which would have the'effect-of adding to the lifting power. ; If it were not for the danger of using the machines; in .tho dark, and for the obvious necessity.for rest for tho man in charge of his machine, ho would continue its flight for several days. Ho calculated that) including.frame, engines, operator, and n'full day's supply of: fuel, his aeroplane would weigh under 20001b. He has had between thirty. and forty very successful gliding trials in his garden, and thero had also! been? gliding trials on two days hv the King Edward Barracks. In the latter trials the machine displayed its flying power, but, owing to the breakage of the four rudderß through coming into contact with the ground owing .to the deadness of .the air, and ;the Titter lack of any current of.wind, it was at a disadvantage, and' did not balanoe as well as when in the open. At tho same time it fully demonstrated that, with motor; power,; it would prove itself a good flier. :. :'Mr. Coates has endeavoured; to obtain a motor for his machine, but was unable te get one light'-; enough, either in New Zealand or in Australia. He is,.however,,so well.satisfied with the trials that he intends, to construct a; full-sized ' : machine .immediately on his arrival in' England. 'After putting it through ..the necessary test,' he will submit it to.tho authorities of tho :War Office.;';' He has unbounded confidence in his invention, which, •he believes, will be a credit to Christchurch tho Dominion,; . '