WONDERFUL NEW TRIPLANE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 228, 20 June 1919, Page 7

WONDERFUL NEW TRIPLANE

100 PEOPLE ON 24 HOURS' FLIGHT ("Daily News" Special Correspondent.) Tho huge Tarrant supcr-triplanc, briefly referred to by Major-General Seely in, the House of Commons on (March 13) wlien he foreshadowed a marvellous development of civilian aviation, has a long cigar-shaped fuselage, similar in appearance to tho body of a Zeppelin. Through the courtesy of Captain P. T. Bawlings, who will bo remembered as the airman who flow over Constantinople and bombed the Gocben, I am able to give a full description of this latest monster of the air. Captain Bawlings, together with Mr. W. G. Tarrnnt, of the well-known firm of' Government contractors of Bylleet, originated tho machine, and ho expects to be in it on tho first flight. Tho inachino was originally designed to bomb Berlin—carrying" 10,0001b. of bombs and a crew of eight over a distance of 1200 miles. It has a span of Mitt, the fuselage is 85ft., and it is fitted with six Napier "Lion" 500 h.-p; engines. When the aircraft industry began preparations for • commeroi.il flying the makers of the super-triplo.no followed suit, with the result that this type will be capable of carrying over 100 passengers, or a cargo weighing 9 tons, for' n distance of 1200 miles. Tho speed of the converted machine will bs anything from 80 to 100 miles per hour. It possesses enormous possibilities in continuous flying, and by extra tankage it would bo possible to make a non-stop (light lasting 24 hours, which means, roughly speaking, a distance of 2000, miles under favourablo conditions.

"Tho exceptionally large amount of space in tho fuselage," said Captain Rawlings, ■ "would permit of several relays of pilots on a long journey, which is obviously a great advantage, and ensures an additional degreo of safety. Tho pilots would relievo one another at the controls, and each man would be a'blo to tako needful Test. Tho design of the fuselage is peculiar, in that it contains no bracing wires, thus permitting tho insido of tho machine to be used for a variety of purposes." Hollow and practically circular when viewed end-oil, tho fuselage is built of wood and strengthened by a patent system of girders not unlike ,tho masts of an American warship, and it is this which obviates the use of tracing wires and other fittings common to the ordinary aeroplane. There is a free way right down tho centre of the fusda.ee permitting anyone to walk to tho tail. "j\s n matter of fact, you could, play cricket in our machine," said one of Captain's Bawlings' men. One of tho secrets, of the design is that it enables the machine to fly faster than other aeroplanes of the same size or weight. Three Tow's of glass windows, giving the appearance of portholes, will be fitted in tho side of the triplane, and tiers of seats—probably chairs-rwill bo provided for tho passengers. In addition to tho staff of pilots which the triplane will carry there will bo' on board two or three engineers and mechanics, a navigator, and wireless operator. The work of peering the triplane will be done by intermediary power units, on the principle adopted in controlling steamship rudders, but tho pilot, if he wishes, will be able to take direct control at any time, and steer this huge machine singlehanded.