Cobham Reports on Engine Behaviour

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 370, 2 June 1928, Page 9

Cobham Reports on Engine Behaviour

VALUABLE OBSERVATIONS TESTS ON LONG FLIGHT British Official 'Wireless Reed. 11.10 a.m. RUGBY, Friday. During his 23,000-mile flight round Africa, Sir Alan Cobham compiled the most elaborate report ever made on the behaviour of an engine in different climates. An observation on his Rolls-Royce-Condor engine wa6 taken every halfhour during the flight, and the report, 'which amounts to 200,000 words, is of great scientific value. The flight was purely utilitarian, and constituted a sober and businesslike survey of a vast area over which it is anticipated flying may eventually become an integral part of business enterprise. Sir Alan Cobham points out that while Africa has railways and rivers to convey produce, speedier mail communications are essential, and these are services which could be provided at a comparatively little cost in the way of ground equipment, since in most cases all that is required is to clear the bush for a landing ground. Lady Cobham, wrho accompanied her husband on the largest flight ever undertaken by a woman, enjoyed the experience intensely. Although their flying-boat was a service machine not equipped for passengers, she experienced no discomforts, and was able to sleep for many hours in the air in one of the four bunks available. She typed many thousands of words during the flight. Sir Alan’s boat Singapore had to come dow T n in Southampton Water ; this afternoon during his flight from Plymouth to Rochester. The machine left Plymouth in a squall and later it was noticed that the fabric of one of the wings was giving. Sir Alan thought it advisable to come down for repairs.

Air Vice-Marshal Sir Sefton Brancker, Director of Civil Aviation, was aboard the flying-boat. Crowds of people -who had gathered on the embankment and bridges of the Thames to see Sir Alan Cobham fly over London w r ent away disappointed.