THE AIRWAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 764, 10 September 1929, Page 7

THE AIRWAY

(By THE

ROC.

Taylor’s Combination Airship

ONE of the real pioneers of aviation in New Zealand, Mr. Joseph Taylor, consulting geologist and mining engineer ot Xelson, favoured Auckland flying enthusiasts with his presence at the Mangere airdrome during the week-end. He is of Taylor’s Combination Airship fame, and although now an old man, but still most alert of brain, he thoroughly en joyed his flight with Major Cowper. He announces that a company is at present being formed for the construction of the combination airship.

“The Roc" has clear recollections of the endeavours which were made jnany years ago to induce the New Zealand Government to become interested in the Taylor Combination Airship. But as with the Walsh brothers in their hard uphill fight to obtain assistance, Mr. Taylor received very scant consideration. “I am sure that if the New Zealand Government had taken more notice of my proposition when I first put it before it, the Dominion would have been near the head of the aviation world, instead of at the tail of it,” said Mr. Taylor. Only last year Mr. Taylor communicated with the Government and Defence authorities, requesting a renewal of negotiations which were dropped at the outbreak of the war in 1914, with a view to constructing the combination airship and its various modifications, which were described l>y the newspapers and magazines about 18 years ago as amounting to “five fundamentally new types of aircraft.” After spending some 20 years in working out his plans and designs, and in making experiments and small models at his own expense of the various parts and features, Mr. Taylor conceived the idea that the essential features and proved principles of airships and airplanes could and should be combined in one homogeneous and compact form of machine. He set to "ork accordingly on these lines, but sooti found that cost of any complete j combination construction, even in its j cheapest and simplest form, was far beyond his own means. He therefore offered his designs oil certain specified conditions, equalling a half interest, to the New Zealand Government. both before and after the completed patent rights were granted in 1912. Considerable correspondence ensued and suggestions were made with a view to starting experimental work, the war actually broke out the? correspondence was dropped on the grounds that there was neither time nor money for anything experimental in connection with aviation construction. Regarding this as a valid excuse, Mr. Taylor did not consider it advisable to try to renew negotiations until quite recently. Seeing that an air sense hacl now definitely dawned '

upon the Dominion, he has been encouraged to hope that his Inventions may have some chance of a fair hearing after all. But whether the Government will again take the matter up, it: is felt that the present company which is being formed to build the machine is bound to find the necessary amount of money. Mr. Taylor maintains that his designs and inventions are still intact, although, since his specifications were first published, many of the particular parts and features have been adopted abroad and have proved a success, thus demonstrating the validity and importance of his inventions. He claims to have been the first to patent an all-metal machine and one built of duralimin, a metal lighter than aluminium. were a part of his patent from the first, while liis plans also show provision for eight engines for lifting, besides others for propelling and reversing. The elevating devices combine all the advantages of gvroscopes, helicopters, propellers and brakes. They are said to present more continuous gliding and wing surface than either monoplanes, biplanes or triplanes. This is additional to the main gliding surfaces and would be effective with or without the aid of | the gas-lifting principle. The kind of I pas to be used is not explosive, while j solid petrol, instead of liquid, is to be ' used for motive power. Solid petrol was expressly men- j ! tioned in an illustrated article in “Pro- ! | press” magazine for July, 1914, describing the advantages of Mr. Taylor's | machine. And yet its merits as a motive power for aircraft have only quite recently been tumbled to, even in Great Britain. After exhaustive tests it was decided to use solid fuel ignition engines in the huge British airship RIOO. The idea, of course, is safety. But this was the idea of a New Zealand inventor 18 years ago, but the Government would not listen to him. In this feature and quite a number of others of equal importance. Mr. Taylor claims with confidence that he was absolutely original and correct in . his scientific conclusions as an engineer. especially as concerns the combination of the lighter and heavier i | than air devices in one compact struc-,

ture of moderate size. And he main- | tains that as yet his designs are still ! ahead of the whole world of aeroj nautical construction.

Taylor’s universal combination air ship, in several of its forms or modi fications shown in the plans submitted would be specially suitable for con necting with mail ships out at sea

owing to tlie important provision of ; being able to hover, and either ascend or descend vertically under complete ' control of the engines. Extensive • airdromes for taking off and landing ; would be unnecessary as ordinary- | sized paddocks would afford ample room. The dangers connected with ■ landing would be obviated entirely, while the humming noise of engines of the present planes would be heard no more than the engines of a steamer. All these ideas and many others of vital importance have been embodied in Mr. Taylor’s designs and plans from the first dawn of aviation in New Zealand. And since, they have been supplemented by various other features of equally obvious utility. It would not be strictly correct to say that all these designs and plans are only theoretical forms of fancy and figures printed on paper, for quite a large number of special features have i actually been built up and have proved | to be real and vital inventions, beyond “THE BATTLE OF LIFE” ‘ What is this battle called ••life”—is : it a continuous up-hill grind—one big j difficulty after another—a monotonous ' round of hard work by day and sleepj less nights of worry. j Or is it like a game of football —a strenuous, yet light-hearted, friendly struggle? Life is what you make it. Keep your nerves well nourished and in the “pink of condition” and you will , find life full of joy and happiness. Take a course of Marshall’s Fospherj ine whenever you feel “blue” and “outi of-sorts." I “Marshall’s makes optimists. It ! soothes and nourishes worn out and | ragged nerves, recharging the entire | nervous system with nenewed life and energy. ! You will notice a decided improvement : after the first dose of this concentrated i nerve-tonic. Promotes appetite and digestion: induces healthful sleep. Ask for “Marshall’s” Fospherine in j the six-sided carton—loo doses for 2s 6d All chemists and stores. a

all contempt or criticism. The cost of this combination airship would be considerable, but it would be far less than is being actually incurred in connection w r ith the huge airships nowbeing built in England, America and Germany. As this is a matter affecting the general public welfare the Government should at least make full investigations into Mr. Taylor’s proposal. In 1914 and again in 191 S Mr. Taylor lectured in the Leys Institute on aviation, while he has also lectured on the subject in other parts of the country. Years ago, when he first brought his plans before the Government, Sir Joseph Ward, is said to have remarked: “Well, Taylor, that is the sort of aircraft that appeals to me and I don’t think I will do much flying until one is constructed on those