ÆRIAL FLIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 198, 11 August 1908, Page 2

ÆRIAL FLIGHT.

THE SECRET SOLVED. SUCCESS OF THE WRIGHTS' AEROPLANE. GREAT ENTHUSIASM IN FRANCE. Received IU. 1(1.32 p.m. Pari., A« ; : mt 10. . Wriglit Bros.' aeroplane, v..i..1i wis recently sold to the French Cuvurnnient, ll«w 2500 metres at a height of 30ft in 10,j seconds ,vt l.ilkc l.cnuiis. It was <iuite under control, circling the lake j easily, and afterwards flying for hours, Tliere is great enthusiasm over the success in France. Press reports declare that the aeroplane displayed remarkable birdlike qualities, soaring, skimming, and turn-

ing. Experts described it as a revelation in aerial flight. COUNT ZEPPELIN. AN ADVENTUROUS CAREER. The story of the inventor who sacrifices everything iu pursuit of an idea in (writes A.M.R. in the Daily Mail) always interesting"—particularly if his efforts at last attain success. Count Zeppelin, whose new airship is arousing so much interest, lias a remarkable record of devotion iu the search. He is over seventy years of age, tall, broad, and with Hashing eyes that belie Ma white hair. Comparatively soon I after be began his experiments on Lake Constance ten years ago lie expended his whole fortune of £30,000. An old man, bis whole heart was still in his experiments, and he went on. He was- so convinced of the practical nature of bis ideas that he convinced his friends also, and they formed a syndicate to continue

the experiments. Although the Kaiser conferred the Order of the Red Eagle upon him, no Goveminent help was forthcoming, and .his experiments ceased for a period. . In 1001 the Zeppelin Balloon Fund was opened by public subscription, and work began again. Last autumn the Zeppelin No. 3 was completed. This airship made such remarkably successful trials—on one occasion manoeuvring round the Lake Of Constance and steering round the town halls of its five principal towns— that the German Government determined to buy his invention.

The price was £IOO,OOO, and there were several conditions. He wag to build another airship, Zeppelin No. 4, which should ho able to start and alight on the ground, instead of, as the previous airships, on the water, and which should make an uninterrupted voyage of twenty-four hours duration. The new airship represents Count Zeppelin's at* tempt to - fulfil these conditions.

Count Zeppelin is German by birth, and a soldier by profession. He holds the rank of .general. His patriotism hat even overcome the ambition of the inventor, for, while the German Government failed to recognise his efforts he refused to solicit tho patronage of any other.

His career as a soldier includes tho Franco-German war, in which* he is reputed to have been the first German to enter France. With three officers and seven dragoons he started on the now famous patrol ride of 24th July into the enemy's country. On ono occasion he was dismounted by a French lancer, but he cut down the man, and, mounting his horse, continued his investigations.

Finally his little company was cornered in the courtyard of an inn at Reichshofen, and all hut one surrendered. TVe exception was the count. He succeeded in stealing another French horse, and made his way through a woody, mountainous country, which was infested by the enemy, hack to his own army. During his adventurous and lonely ride lie hid for two days in a wood surrounded by the Freifeh troops, and ultimately managed to evade them and get through Willi his valuable information.

Seven years earlier he had gone to America, where he engaged as ft volunteer in the American war, having a very narrow escape in the battle of Fredericksburg. His interest in the military airship dates from that time, when he made his first ascent in a captive balloon belonging to the Southern Armr. Not satisfied with his training in the engineers, when his mind once turned towards aeronautics, he thoroughly studied mechanics, working himself in the- shops, and practically studying elec- . tricky and sailmaking. He described his aims nt the time as follows, and it ia interesting to see in how far they have been successful:—"l intend to build a vessel which will be able to travel to places which cannot he approached—or only with great difficulty—by other means of transport. To undiscovered coasts or interiors; in a Btraight line across land and water where ships are to be sought for; from one fleet station or army to another; carrying person! and despatches; for observations df the movements of hostile fleets or armies—not for active participation in actual warfare. My balloon will beable to .travel several days without renewing provisions, fuel, or gas. It must travel quickly enough to reach a certain goal in a given number of days, and must possess sufficient rigidity and non-in-flammability to ascend, travel, and doscend under ordinary conditions." The distinctive feature of his experiments since 1898 has been the use or »n

aluminium cylinder or gas container Instead of the customary silk bag. • Model No. 4, the Count's latest airship, was 146 yards long and over 10 yards in diameter—a much-.larger structure than his earlier experiments.