ALL-N.Z. BUILT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 657, 9 October 1933, Page 2

ALL-N.Z. BUILT

EVERY PORTION OF BARY 'PLANE MADE ENTIRELY BY AMATEUR. j PALMERSTON MAN'S WORK. I j Two years of ^ainstakifig work, every minute detail of construction carried out faultlessly, and all the I hundred-and-one intrica,te parts designed and made with his own hands. That -is the splepdid achievement of Mr. Alex. R. G. Radford, of Marine i Street, Palmerston North, who is 1 building his own aeroplane, a machine that will carry with it th'e distinction of being the first amateur 'plane to . be built entirely in New Zealand. ! Mr. Radford's ambition was to make everything' himself, and alj thought he has had no previous ex- ■ perience of aircraft work, his engi- . neering ability has enabled him to : construct a machine that is a credit to his skill. Having been a marine1 j engineer attached to the coast patrol ! during' the Great War, he has years | of engineering experience behind j him, which proved of invaluable' assistance in making the 'plane. • Splendid Wormanship Shown. The machine is a biplane with a wing span of 20 feet and an overa.ll length' of 16 feet. It is to carry the pilot only, and, empty, weighs 4001b. It is fitted with a 35-40 horse-power, three-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, which has been tested and functions perfectly. Altogether the 'plane embodies many new features. Mr. Radford made his own wooden patterns and core hoxes for the casting of the various parts of the engine he has made, while he turned every nut and bolt, accounting for every detail even down to the split .pins. He has been assembling the 'plane in a front room of his residence, and the final touches should be made very shortly. The 'plane is to be tested by Major Cowper at the Miilson aerodrome when finished, and there is every indication that the machine will prove airworthy.

It is not covered, as yet, and the vast amount of work and attention to detail required can be easily appreciated even by the layman. The construction is solid and flawless. Conversing with . a Manawatu Times representative, Major Cowper was loud ' in his praise of the work accompjlished by Mr. Radford, and paid eulogistic tribute to the splendid craftsmanship shown by the amateur builder. "It is the first amateur 'plane I have seen that really looks like a first-class machine," he said, pointing out that the midget 'plane would be extraordinarily sensitive on the controls and exceflent for "stunting." Mr. Radford, he added, was to be eongratulated on building the first amateur 'plane to be constructed in its entiret'y in New Zealand, and Palmerston North was fortunate to be able to claim that distinction. "I think she will fly splendidly and prove a fine little machine," conc'luded Major Cowper,