The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27th, 1925. WAR IN THE AIR.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27th, 1925. WAR IN THE AIR.

Fon some time past there have been reports r-s to developments affecting the aeroplane in warfare. The Great War is being credited with being stopped just in time to save Germany from feeling the effects of the latest in aerial developments and the application of engines of war from above. Now the cable news is outlining statements bearing on developments being revealed regarding the possibilities of war in the air when next the Great Powers are involved. Secret experiments which have been carried out in England with the application of wireless control to aeroplanes have demonstrated that Great Britain is not lagging behind other countries in this development of flying (stated the “Daily Chronicle” recently). Machines have been flown without pilots or crews, and they have been made to twist and turn in the heavens as if controlled by some strange, and magic hand. To prevent even an inkling of what has been going on becoming known, the utmost precaution has been taken, but it can be stated that, as the result of long research and much experimenting, the initial difficulties of controlling aircraft, from some ground 'station by means of wireless have been overcome in this country. What has l>een accomplished in France and in America has been done here by our Air Force. It is not claimed that this . will at once mean the elimination of the ordinary type of craft necessitating a pilot to control it, but it opens out a new epoch in aviation, the significance of which ft is not yet possible to visualise for we are hut on the threshold of it. France pnd America have each declared £f> the Tovld wh,M h?* he-eni

achieved, but its own achievements t. Air Ministry has preferred to enshroud in mystery and secrecy. Foi all that, a pilotless plane lias been sent into tlie heavens, has been kept on a predetermined route, and has been made to land at the desired spot. -It is believed that it will shortly he possible to drop bombs by the same wonderful means, from aeroplanes with no human souls on hoard, at any spot that may he desired, Those responsible for Great Britain’s aerial developments are fully alive to the vast possibilities o. pilotless planes. It was in 1915 that experiment and research were begun, and at one time it was hoped that it would he possible to use machines controlled by wireless in the Great War. A rural and isolated spot lie Feltham was chosen a.s the site for the work. A large area was fenced off with electrified barbed wire and sentries were posted at short intervals to deal effectively with any intruder. What went on behind that formidable barrier only a privileged lew know. Every mail who entered that experimental station of the Royiil Air Form was sworn to secrecy. Never U word lias been allowed to fviUli the public. Everything has been, as enshrouded in mystery as was the evolution of the tank, TSul the experiment,s have gone on, and on the experience of those war-time experiments has been based all that lias led to the remarkable and far-reaching discovery. Tests are still going on, and will continue to go on towards the evolution of the perfect pilotless plane; hut the initial difficulties have been overcome. It .is certain that the day-is not far distant when it will bo possible to send out s fleet of aeroplanes, either from an aerodrome on land, or from the decks of a naval aircraft carrier at sea, with out a single pilot going up. Every thing will he done with the radio plant which*is needed for “wireless control’’. All that will lie necessary will he the selection of an objective, whether it be a single building, the headquarters of a staff, or a mighty city, and th aeroplanes will be sent out to deal death and destruction in their wake. No casualties can he inflicted on the raiders, for there will he no pilots or crew to kill, All this may sound uncanny, like some flights of imagination, but it is the inevitable trend of aerial progress and the application ol the forces of wireless to the problem of flight. With the human element sr completely eliminated and the possible loss of personnel reduced to a minimum, aeroplanes could he sent out on long bombing raids with impunity. Application of wireless control to civil flying would he along similar Tines. It would be even less complicated, and would make air travel a much less costly business. It is cerium that by an extension of the new discovery, tlie traffic of the skies will he revolutionised.