In the Air

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7, 7 September 1915, Page 5

In the Air

"BATTLE AIRMAN" SECURED. GERMANS' NEW CIANT BIPLANE SHOT DOWN BY THE ALLIES. United Press Association. (Received 9.55 a.m.) Copenhagen, September o". Tho new German biplane constructed on the modern Russian giant plan was shot down in East Prussia when about to be, tested. At Kriedrichshafen the second machine is nearly ready. It"is claimed they can travel to London and hack in five hours. They carry a searchlight, twelve 201 b bombs. machine guns, and eight men.

In a recent despatch, the official Eye-witness stated that two officers of the Royal Flying Corps had a most exciting experience while reconnoitring over Poelcappelle at a height of about -1000 feet. "They engaged a large German biplane having a double fuselage, two engines, and a pair of propellers. The German machine at first circled round ours. v shooti|ig at it with a machine-gun. 'but,'so far as is known, not any damage. Then our observer fired' about 'oO ' rounds in return at under 200 yards' range. This had some effect, for the hostile biplane was seen, top'Wnver.J After some more shots', 1 nts engines stopped, and it nose-dived to a level of 2000 feet, where it flattened out its! course, flying slowly and erratically." The correspondent states that the German "battle airman"—as the enemy call their giant biplane—is not quite the Dreadnought:.,of '^{lei a%)pns? would expect. The Allies' ordinary fighting aeroplane still maintains its superiority, and can beat off its huge opponent. The whole affair suggests ae great Spanish galleon of the Armada, having rings made round it by a little ship of a Drake or a Hawkins; tho cumbersome and complicated machine being more vulnerable than its simpler antagonist. The German machine is a biplane; and the top wing covers about 00 to 70 feet. It is a dual-tractor. The engine propellers, are fitted on two bodies of the monoplane type. A large, biplane tail, with double rudders, is'fitted- to the rear. Centrally, between tlie fuselages, is' placed the car, which holds three or .more men,,, including pilot dud 'iuaebjne guns. Control is from here: the' double fuselage contains only the j petrol tali Id tehSU leiigifteST The car is fitted with several machine guns, "which are placed to fire-ill all' directions. There is a very strong iaiidi'tig-chjassis, ,wjt]t< ; big, ■ enclosed springs.

THE NEW ZEPPELINS. UNITED Press association. j B«rmy September 6. ' Trials or the newest Zeppelins show that they attain a very great speed. 5 ftke latteral rudders are-much larger, enabling them to turn rapidly and manoeuvre better. The envelope is. silver-grey, which' does not reflect the sun, and ts invisible even at a modera,te lulight'i in p grey sk|\| t( , , | J • '■'•. ! ■ ! '"'' { v \f 1 I • '1 ' FRENCH AVIATORS BOMB BARRACKS. [United Press Association.] (Received 9.55 a.m.) Paris, September 6. A communique states: French aviators bombarded the barracks at Dieir/.e and Morhange. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. United Press Association I Paris, September 5. Adjutant Bertin, of the Flying' Corps, has 1 been granted the Legion of Honor. With Sergeant Bbyer lve_' was' 'sent on a reconnaisance. Bertin's aeroplane was riddled with ninetyeight shell splinters and a wing nearly shot away, and he was wounded in £ni> thigh; but lie continued his flight Boyer's machine turned turtle, and. on landing, he ignited it. and prepared to hide in the woods. Bertin, returning, saw Boyer's aeroplane blazing, descended, and picked him up, and both returned safely. Official : Last week, despite n violent cannonade, our naval aviators threw over ,'}()() -liu. shells on the German naval installations on the Belgian coast.