In The air

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 414, 24 July 1928, Page 7

In The air

Value of Wireless The flight of the Southern Cross demonstrated that a transmitter is more useful on an airplane than a receiving set. A direction-finder can be trained upon radio waves, so that if the Southern Cross had been forced down, we would have had a good idea of where she was. When the NC4 American naval seaplane—the first to cross the Atlantic —started out in May, 1919, she soon developed trouble, and was forced to descend at sea. The last radio signal from the NC4, as revealed by radio compass bearings, showed that it was off Chatham, Massachusetts. Destroyers searched along the line, and found the airplane next morning. After repairs, the NC4 continued her journey. Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant A. W. Brown made the first non-stop Transatlantic flight. They carried a radio direction-finder with loop aerial built into the wings, but no transmitting apparatus. “Where do you expect to land?” “We will hang our hats on the Clifden towers in Ireland,” was the reply. For nearly 17 hours the world waited and wondered how Alcock and Brown were faring, for they carried no transmitting gear. Then, guided by their radio direction-finder, the plane suddenly appeared and flew Straight over

the Clifden towers. Alcock did not hang his hat on the tower as ho passed, but he went so close to it that he nearly crashed. * * * Empire Communications According to advices recently received by Sir Keith Smith, Australian representative for Vickers, the first of the giant airships, eventually destined for the England-Australian service, will be completed next month. It will have passenger accommodation for between 100 and 120 people; and the contract price for construction is £350,000. The initial flight will probably be to Canada, followed by a flight to India, where—at Karachi—a complete airship station is nearing completion. * * * Yacht of the Skies Tests have been successfully carried out in Germany with a giant all-metal flying-boat, which can truly be described as a yacht of the skies. The machine is a Dornier-Napier, and carries 20 passengers in two comfortably upholstered and roomy cabins, connected by a gangway. In addition the crew of three is housed in an enclosed cabin in the forward part of the machine, giving a perfect view. Built on ship lines, the machine is fitted with watertight bulkheads so that any section of the hull can be completely shut off in the event of damage by flooding. The machine has four British Napier engines, developing 2,000 h.p., which enables the craft to cruise at 105 m.p.h., with a top speed of 135 m.p.h. An interesting feature, as demonstrating the advance of this aircraft, is that connecting the hull to the wing —where the engines are mounted —is an enclosed conning tower with a ladder to enable the mechanic to reach the engines, and inspect the instruments while the machine is in flight.

All the instruments are electrically operated. Should his water or oil temperature not be correct, the pilot i warned by the flashing of a light. But the Inflexible, Britain’s giant 20 ton all-metal bomber, which was completed last week, is a bigger craft. * * * Still At It What happens to world-famous aviators after the conclusion of their famous flight?? Most of them appear to go back to the job they were doing before their name was blazoned across half the world. This is certainly the case with Lieutenant R. Parer, the intrepid partner in the Parer-Mclntosh England to Australia flight, who is at present a pilot in New Guinea. Lieutenant Parer is something of a radio expert- At his direction a set is being built which will be practically a replica of the special short-wave set which gave such splendid results on the Southern Cross flight. The set will be used in New Guinea where Parer, with some eight other planes, flying under the title of the Bulolo Goldfields Airplane Service, has solved a great transport problem. The carrying of rice, meat, flour, and other supplies to the Kdie Creek . miners, was done formerly by natives i In 45 minutes the planes do a journey which, owing to the rugged mounI tainous country, took the native carriers from eight to 14 days! • • • Brisbane-Sydney Service Arrangements are nearing completion in Brisbane for the flotation of «t ; company to establish a flying servica I between Sydney and Brisbane. It is 1 proposed to use monoplane machines.