IN THE AIR.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 11 June 1917, Page 3

IN THE AIR.

THRILLING AIR FIGHT. One general melee in the recent-air fighting was as thrilling as any aerial battle ever fought —six British scouts and eight Germans fought at close Quarters throughout. Opposing wings almost scraped wings, and pilot looked pilot squarely in the eye. It was a duel with the addition of flying skill. As soon as a Britisher swooped on a German's tail another German was on •"lis tail. pursuer poured bullets into his quarry until seven machines followed one another in ' headlong descent. The battle began at eight in the evening when the British offensive patrol sighted the Germans well over the German lines. The enemy fled east, but were overhauled, and forced to fight. The British captain, in the leading machine, dived at the nearest German, missed, but poured rounds into the second until, when twenty yards distant ,the enemy toppled and fell. Meanwhile another German assailed the British captain from behind. The Britisher, unable to shake off the enemy, spun downwards, with the German in close pursuit, until a second Britisher dived at the German, and sent him toppling to the earth. Two more Germans joined the downward procession, until a third Britisher dived upon them, forcing them to flee. Another German attacked the third Britisher, and the two airmen fought downward until near the earth, when the German was sent crashing. A fourth Britisher joined in then with another German. The two fought a stubborn duel. The German fought bravely, and the Britisher was obliged to spin a thousan feet. The German also spun, but a lucky fusillade sent -his machine hurtling earthwards. The remaining Germans then fled, and the British patrol re-formed, without a casualty.

AIRCRAFT IN THE WAR. 150 MILES AN HOUR. Without mentioning by name any British or any enemy type, it may be stated that aeroplanes capable of a speed of nearly 150 miles per hour in calm air are in existence. It is likely, too, that certain machines of heavy "loading" (which is not the same thing as great total weight) and small head-resistance in a steep dive attain speed of 250 miles per hour. Certain dangers are encountered by very high-speed machines. The dangers were anticipated years ago, and to some extent, at any rate, they are provided for in building. These fast craft have their own degree and problems of instability, and they are no whit easier to fly or safer than slow craft. A diving speed of something more than 200 miles per hour having been attained, it seems likely that an entirely new phase is entered upon, requiring \«ery careful consideration.

It may be interesting to compare the speed of mechanical flight with that attained in other locomotion, artificial or natural.. There is no doubt that mechanical flight has beaten everything; but this victory has only been attained within the past few months. The nearest competitor appears to have been an electric train on special speed trials at Zossen, near Berlin, in October, 1903, the speed being 130| miles an hour. Nothing approaching this is reached on steam railways, by which the maximum of speed probably has never reached 100 miles per hour.

The monorail system, although it gives prospect of greater speed, has not yet been put to this use. ' The Bachelet "levitated" train would it was claimed, travel at more miles per hour.

Motor-cars on the track have not reached the speed of the Zossen trials, and record motor-boat is still well under a mile a minute. Birds are far behind, it being doubtful whether the independent speed of the swiftest birds; such as teal and quail is up to sixty miles per hour.