THE MASTERY OF THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 28 September 1907, Page 4

THE MASTERY OF THE AIR.

BRITISH FAITH IX THE AEROPLANE. WORK AT ALDERSHOT. "Iu my opinion the cigar-shaped dirigible balloon, on which the French and the Gorman military authorities set such •store, will become obsolete ill a few years. J.t is the aeroplane that is to be the lighting machine of the air, and it is toward the perfection of the aeroplane that Great Britain is working. "The sheds of North Camp, at Aidershot, contain a machine which when finished, will dim the glories of La Patrie and the new Herman airship." This statement was made by an official to an Express representative, who was anxious to learn how far the scheme of aerial defence has been advanced. The original plan of Britain's air licet which was submitted to the Committee of Xational Defence, included sentry kites, dirigible balloons to act as depot ships and supply stores to the naval fleet, and fighting aeroplanes. _As far as the kites are concerned, Great Britain is ahead of other countries, and that, at least, is reassuring. Every day experiments are being carried out at Aldershot, and three or four of these box-kites are frequently seen carrying a man—a black speck, 2000 ft above the earth.

BRITAIN NOT BEHINDHAND. Although no dirigible balloon has yet circled Kt. Paul's, it must not be supposed that (he War Oliicc is behindhand in this nniuer. But, as the informant quoted above has stated, the chief hope of the British aerial navy lies in the aeroplane—the machine which is heavier than air. A great bulk such as La Patrie cannot travel at the best more than 21 miles an hour. An aeroplane of the same size could fly through the air at more than 100 miles an hour. At the Aldershot balloon factory there are two designs of aeroplanes, but the one which is practically completed is built on the principle of the Wright Brothers' aeroplane. That ia to sa.\° it is built on the "glider" principle, it is worked with a petroleum engine, and its speed will he at least 40 miles an hour. In about two months it is hoped that experiments will be made with it out of doors, but for the present it remains in the great shed, where the machinery is being tested. Only recently a curious accident occurred during one of these indoor experiments. It was decided to test the power of the engine, and for this purpose the machine was strongly anchored. But when the engine started the propeller shot suddenly from the shaft, smashed clean through the iron wall, and buried itself in the common outside.

'lk- strictest secrecy is maintained among the workers in the Camp. Men ami women—l'or there arc women making balloons—take an oath not to divulge luiytliinff, and the walls of everv building are placarded with the Officia'l Secrets Art, 1889, which warns them that the penalty may be imprisonment for life, and warns those equally who incite the workers fo betray a secret.