In the air

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 420, 31 July 1928, Page 7

In the air

«• ■■ i .1 THE“VACUUM PLANE” Georges Galli, a French motor mech- : anic now in Sydney, has hit on what he claims is a big Improvement in 1 aircraft construction. He calls his ; discovery the “vacuum plane.” It will have a speed of from 60 to 200 m.p.h.. he says, with a. maximum consumption of 20 g.p.h.; its landing speed will be i 20 m.p.h. over and above wind speed, and it will be able to pull up in a length of 100 yards. In addition the plane will give greater travel comfort. Unfortunately, however, Galli. who was mechanic to Captain Madon, famous French ace. until he was killed rn 1926, lacks the first essential t*> show what his vacuum plane can do —finance. Fiats and Italian Flyers Just before their record transocean llight from Rome to Brazil in a Fiat-engined Savoia plane, the ItalMajor Delprete, had broken the world’s long-distant© and endurance record in the same machine. They flew for 5S hours 35 minutes and covered 7,500 kilometres (approximately 4,680 miles) during that time. Since then, however, a new distance record has been made in Germany. The plane used on th© Brazil flight has a Fiat model* A22T motor, developing 550 h.p. Practically all the army planes in Italy are built by the Fiat Company, and it was a Fiat engine that enabled Di Bernardi to set up the present world’s record spee^d—3lß miles an hour. Towns along the airways are urged to paint giant signs to guide the flyers. If air travel resembles motoring, a pilot will never know whether he is passing over Jonesville, Stinger Cigarettes or Somebody’s Soup. Aviator to Motor-Cyclists “I feel at home a.nd at ease with the motor-cycle lads gathered here to-night,” said Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith at the dinner tendered the Southern Cross flyers by the Motor-Cycle Club of New South Wales. “I am proud to be associated with you.” he'added, “as I think the education motor-cyclists receive fits them for the position of flyers and drivers in commercial and private life.” Th© flyers were presented with framed club certificates and gold badges. Mr. E. F. Wiseman, president of the club, was chairman at the dinner, which was attended by past and present members of the club.

Air Tournament for Queensland Th© programme is available for the Queensland Aero Club’s pageant to be held on August 25 at Brisbane. Main events are:

Queensland Aerial Derby. Prizes: Ist, The “Eagle” Cup, plus a cash prize of £SO to th© entrant of the winning machine; 2nd, 60 per cent, of entrance fees, 3rd, 40 per cent, of entrance fees. A handicap race open to all aircraft other than those owned by the R.A.A.F. or the Department of Civil Aviation. Distance, about 40 miles. Queensland Aerial Speed Championship. Prize: The “Perdriau” trophy, plus a cash prize of £lO 10s to the pilot of th© winning airplane. A speed race open to all aircraft other than those owned by /ie R.A.A.F. or the Department of Civil Aviation. Distance, about 40 miles. This race will b© run simultaneously with the Queensland Aerial Derby. Air Services Race. Prize: Service trophy. Open to all machines of the Royal Australian Air Force and the Department of Civil Aviation. Distance, about 40 miles. Amateur Pilots’ Handicap. Prizes: Ist, Amateur pilots’ trophy, plus £ls 15s cash prize, 2nd, trophy value £5 ss. Open to all pilots (of both sexes) from any State, who have never been professionally engaged as such. Looking Over The Royal Australian Air Force is at present receiving a close inspection from Air-Marshal Sir John Salmond. Sir John recently inspected the Southern Cross, tie- giant triple-en-gined monoplane in which SquadronLeader Kingsford Smith and FliglitHieut. LTlm have made history. He showed the keenest interest in the big Fo'kker. He entered the cabin and looked closely and expertly at the wireless. Then, on a step-ladder, he looked into her navigating cabin. “Can anyone tell me what these instruments are?” he asked. Mr. M. Maidment, the American Wright mechanic, who was working on the machine, was then called. He spent some considerable time explaining to Sir John the exact nature of the many up-to-date recording instruments with which the dashboard of the Southern Cross is fitted. ITe was particularly interested in the instrument which records banking and turning, and in the new altimeter, which gives altitude constantly, no matter in what position the plane might be. The giant Fokker cam© in for flattering attention from the great air chief. Souvenirs of Southern Cross The Defence Department has given the Southern Cross an Australian certificate of registration, and its future identification letters will be GAUSU. Th© overhaul of th© machine is proceeding satisfactorily at Richmond, but a warning is being issued to souvenir hunters to desist from further damaging the machine. Some people do not seem to realise that they may endanger the lives of the aviators. Several pieces of the covering have already been taken from the fuselage. One energetic souvenir hunter has unscrewed the watch in the cockpit and taken the glass. Others have removed small screws from the wireless plant inside the cabin. Instructions have been given by the officers in charge of the airdrome that visitors are in future not to be allowed inside the machine or near enough to indulge in souvenir hunting.