FLIGHT PIONEER

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 460, 30 June 1937, Page 4

FLIGHT PIONEER

l ; BUILT OWN MACHINE [ Early N.Z. Experiments I Press Association—Copyright. Wellington, June 29. Tt wtac' a happy thought that led to the Minister of Transport, Hon. R. Semple, to call before the Kotare in Wellington on 'Saturday morning Mr A. W. Schaef, whose exploits in aviation go back so many years that only some people remember the strange doings among the sandhills at what is hjw the Rongotai aerodrome, 27 years ago. Mr Schaef built his machine and, with Mr D. P. Fisher, between them worked miracles with their first engine, a 14 h.p. J.A.P. It.had sufficient power—obviously, after the first trials were made —and they endeavoured to “pep it up” by fitting larger cylinders. The crankshaft smashed' and there was long delay while material for a new shaft was brought over from Sydney; a new shaft was made, but for all the fine hand workmanship and ingenuity th» ’plane would not fly. Remarkable Machine. It was a monoplane, of the Bleriot type, and it was a very remarkable plane indeed. It embodied ian idea of Mr Shaef’s, which was forgotten and reintroduced* as new in very recent years—the flap, or air brake. It is not possible to say definitely without | much research whether this was the j first application of the air-brake prini ciple, but it is probable that this was | so. • Mr Schaef and Mr Fisher dissolved 1 partnership after a time. The Lyall ■ Bay pioneer rebuilt the wings and jopen fuselage anti fitted to them a 30 | h.p. Anzani radial engine, three- | cylindered, in “Y” pattern. Long I rials and tribulations were suffered lat Lyall Bay in 1912 and 1913, and' , the ’plane did fly, but never at any great height, nor for anything like he full length of the beaeh. Floats Fitted. More pioneering work was done with it, for floats were fitted—agafti very early in the day—and attempts were made at Shelly Bay, but there wap trouble here on every trial, for the plane sat low on the water and each wavelet threatened disaster to the propeller, whose tips were badly knocked about. The Wanganui River offered smoother golltg, and the float ’plane taken there and was the centre Piece of a' grand river carnival, but it refused to IffF from the water, its end came in a burst of flames in the hangar. To its building rand rebuilding much money had gons and Mr schaef unwilling./ gave aviation best.