PROPELLER AT FAULT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 504, 6 November 1928, Page 9

PROPELLER AT FAULT

AIR SPEED TEST GREIG’S DISTINGUISHED RECORD British Official Wireless Reed. 12.3 p.m. RUGBY, Monday. On Saturday’s trial flight FlightLieut. D’Arcy Greig, who failed In his attempt to establish a new air speed record yesterday, was dissatisfied with the propeller, which was not gripping the air sufficiently to absorb the power generated by his engine, which thus caused fumes in the cockpit. Tt is believed that the fresh propeller fitted for the official attempt was also inadequate, and experts are now considering whether some slight alteration in the angle of the blades would give extra efficiency. A further attempt on the record remains for the time being under consideration by tho Air Council. Experts are enthusiastic about Lieut. Greig’s wonderful handling of the machine. Before the attempt he announced his intention of covering the course six times to permit a selection of four runs for averaging pur poses. This he did. swooping after each run into a wide circle. The machine shot through the air with a shrill, high-pitched note, and spectators held their breath at the terrific strain which such speed Involves for man and machine.

Lieut. Greig’s judgment In diving on to the course was superb. On landing he seemed perfectly unperturbed by his ordeal. Once while div Ing his goggles were sooted over and he had to take one hand off the throttle to wipe them. He was too occupied to examine the speed indicator and simply judged his rate by the feel of his machine. SHOT DOWN AT 18 Lieut. Greig is 28 years old and has a distinguished war record. When only IS years old his machine was shot down behind the German lines. He managed, after walking 13 miles, to dodge through the Germaji linos and rejoin the British forces. Last year he avoided disaster by jumping from an airplane, and descending safely with a parachute. lie succeeded this year to the command of an Air Force high-speed flight. When he heard from the referees that his flight yesterday, while establishing a fresh unofficial speed record, had not done so officially, he accepted the news with fortitude and said with a broad smile, “Never mind; I hope to have another whack at it.” Hundreds of congratulatory telegrams were received to-day by Lieut. Greig. He is to take a few days' leave. If he receives permission from the Air Council for another attempt on the record, it will not be made for another fortnight.