AIR CRAFT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 895, 15 August 1910, Page 8

AIR CRAFT.

; THE-fiOME-MADB VARIETY. (By Telegraph'.-Special 'Correspondent? ' ' , ''~'' Auckland, August 11. A movement towards the formation of an'-Aeroplane Club has been started in Auckland, and; will, probably assume definite shape in the course of a few weeks. . A proposal was recently put before the Auckland Automobile - Club that the ob- ■ jeets o£ that body should include the ad-' vancement of the art of aviation,, but it ■ was considered advisable that the movements should, bo carried on ■ separately. -' Several models of aeroplanes and mono- ■ planes have been built in Auckland, but,. as is.usually the case with: budding In-[. ventors, they.mostly desire, to complete' their operations beyond the reach of the public gaze: The invariable exception to the rule was, however,' unearthed yesterday by a reporter, in the person of Mr:"'. W. Henhing,' automobile expert, c'f Custom Street £ast,' who "offere'd no serious objection to the inspection of hif' work.; This consists of the construction of a : full-sized aeroplane, measuring 1. from . elevator to propeller, and havin/ ( : .planes'' of a similar length. The framework is 'of steel tubing with disconnecting parts, and, when comnleted, 'its weight will be ! about 1001b. 'With the addition of' the engine, which Mr. Henning is also constructing, tho total weight will probably ■. be 3001b. ; , ,

,"I think that the principle of steel tubing is correct," said Mr. Henning. "Taking a bicycle as an'example, one would not think of making it out of wood, because, with steel tubing, it is' possible to -build a. machine of 16lb. weight capable of safely" carrying a load of 1501b. Most aeroplanes have so far been constructed of wood." " "When do. you expect to make your first trial?" the reporter asked. "That," ."smilingly replied' Mr. Henning, "is a matter that Iprefer not to. discuss until 1 have done something worth talking about."' He' adds, however; that the construction of the machine would be completed in about two. months. . ••-,": ..'.■..!