GERMAN AIRCRAFT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2272, 5 October 1914, Page 7

GERMAN AIRCRAFT

POWERFUL MACHINES IN SOUTH- "'■ WEST AFRICA.

_ An artio e which appeared in a recent ti S j°n°- i German Paper, "Kolonie Und Heimat, ' contains some interesting particulars with reference to the air craft supplied to the German colonies, and deals more particularly with tho «T° i m . a t chmes sent to Gorman SouthAVest. Africa, which are in that territory at the present time. It appears from the article that the first attempt on the part of the German Government to supply the colonies with, machines was made at tKaio-ichau, the' nayal station in China, which has come into the limelight in connection with tho present war. A Rumpler monoplane l is stationed there. ,

It seems that the German Imperial authorities, in their endeavour to carry out this scheme, have been greatly aided by various private societies. The contributions for tho purpose were so large that the authorities were enabled to experiment, a good deal, and build special machines to suit the conditions obtaining in each centre. Incidentally, it might bo mentioned that residents in German South-AVest Africa interested in aeronautics took up the matter so enthusiastically that £5000 was sent to Berlin) to bo added to this special' fund. In April last two machines were sent to German South-West Africa, and it was intended, in the course of the next few months, that further machines should be sent to that quarter and one to Kamorun. The air oraft forwarded to German South-AVest Africai comprised a Roland double-decker biplane and a double--decker biplane from the factory of tho Automobil and Aviatik Company, Mulhausen. Tho article states that tho machines were to bo used for certain experiments, such as the carriage of mail matter, the carriage of diamonds, and for the purpose of rendering medical aid to settlers in outlying portions of the territory. The machines selected for Gorman South-AVest Africa were constructed by firms which had been 'eminently successful in important competitions on the Continent.

The Aviatik double-decker last autumn gained the £5000 prize offered by tho National' Flying Union. Tho machine put, up a world's record for a night of 2100 kilometres (roughly WOO miles) within a space of 24 hours. The iloMnd double-decker is a sister machine to one which, in February of this year, gained tho reliability record, and shortly afterwards made a 16 hour over■ind jouruoy. Both machines are fitted with 100 li.p. Mercedes motors, and aro opccially constructed to suit the variable climate. Steel tubing was largely used in their construction.

Eaeli maehino is fitted with a patent military compass of tbo latest pattern. Should, however, tho aviator lose his way in spite of the- compass, ho can fall back On the "signal mirror and light," a recent invention of Profossor Donath. By means of this ho could signify his presence to a distance of from 30 to 50' kilometres. Both machines, in addition, aro specially fitted with receptacles for carrying a considerable stock of provisions, water and petrol, racks for small arms, and a comprehensive repair outfit. Tho machines are in charge of the Commandant of the Troops in German South-West Africa (Lieut.-Col. Von Hoydebreck), who has under him an army aeronautical oflicor and a staff of experienced pilots. Tho Roland doubledecker is stationed at Keotmanshoop, and tho Aviatik at ICaribib.' Thero_ is another machine in the territory, which was sent out for exhibition flights by tho firm of Rudolf Hertzog, but this does not comparo with tho Roland or the Aviatik biplanes.