AEROPLANES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3222, 21 June 1909, Page 5

AEROPLANES.

A CHRISTCHURCH INVENTION,

By Telegraph —Press Association, CHRISTCHURCH, June 19-.

Christchurch has just discovered that it rejoices in the proud possession of an aeroplane inventor, Mr Oswald Coates, an accountant. Mr Coates has been studying the question of flight for many years, and has now perfected an invention which he proposes to offer shortly to the Imperial Government. He says that his machine will be better than any he has heard of. It is to be'of the same beam, 40ft, as the Wright Brothers" aeroplane,, but will have a lifting surface of 1,(320ft, as against their 500 ft, and at the same speed will carry over 4,0001b, as against their 1,2501b. With more engine power he will be able to develop a higher speed, and so increase the lifting power. Including frame, engines, operator, and a full day's fuel, the weight of the rtfachine will be under 2,0001b, and he believes that it could fly for several days. Mr Coatea has made a model of his machine,'4ft long and 3ft broad, and with this he says he has had between thirty and forty successful gliding trials in his garden, and two in the large volunteer barracks, where, however, four of the rudders were broken through contact with the ground. The deadness of tne air in the hall was a considerable disadvantage. Mr Coates has protected portions of his invention, and as soon as he reaches England he will hava a full-sized machine constructed.