THE AEROPLANE IN WAR.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10044, 14 May 1910, Page 7

THE AEROPLANE IN WAR.

With a rapidity which has astonished experts the aeroplane has progressed from one altitude to another, until now the maximum height attained tands at over 4,100t. Judging by the rate of improvement which within a year has altered the record from 300 ft to 4,100 ft, it can be safely surmised that flying machines will very soon be capable of soaring to the height of a mile and that not a few but many aeroplanes will possess this power. This development opens up new prospects for the employment of the aeroplane for warlike purposes.

More than a year ago Mr Wilbur Wright stated that he saw no reason why a flying machine should not rise to a height of 4000 ft or 5,000 ft; and, indeed, the obstacles to bo overcome are of practically the same nature which a motor-car has to face in climbing a long hill. The aeroplane also rises in the air by pursuing a course up en imaginary inclined plane, or by circling round and round in spirals. Success depend on the efficiency of the mechanism and on the judgment of the aviator in not forcing nis way upward at too severe an angle, thus overstraining his engine. It can be anticipated that within the present year aeroplanes of various types will be able to soar to heights of a mile, and that in every country where aviation is developed men can be found who can accomplish the feat. It may, further be anticipated that machines will be built which can carry one or even two passengers to a height of from ?,000ft to 4,000 ft.

Here it may be indicated that here is a radical difference between the ascensive methods ot the aeroplane and balloon The former, as has been said, climbs upward by a long or winding gradient, and thus has to travel a considerable distance ere it attains the desired height. The dirigible balloon rises vertically by virtue ot its aerostatic power, and it can change its altitude very quickly. A dirigible would

reach a height of 5,000 ft, far more rapidly than an aeroplane, and at any moment could alter its altitude at a speed impossible for an aeroplane. In addition, a dirigible balloon may be fitted with planes which will enable it to rise in the manner of an aeroplane. Consequently, when conflicts between aeroplanes and dirigibles are spoken of, the point must not be lest sight cf that the latter will always have an advantage in its rapid and vertical ascensive power, as compared with the spiral upward course of the former. By soaring above the aeroplane the dirigible would be almost immune from attack, and could rain missi'es on the enemy.

Of more immediate interest, however, is the new power gained by the high rising aeroplane as opposed to terrestrial forces. At a height of 5,000 ft, the flying machine is but a speck in the sky, and, as well ad escaping notice, it wculd be absolutely syfe fiom gun-fire. A fleet of aeroplanes could therefore travel in daylight to their objective without arjy great fear of ceUcticn or attack from an enemy on earth or sea. Many opinions have been founded on the recent experiments made by Mr Curtiss in California, when a pa l : senger on bis machine diopped bags of sand to demonstrate how bombs might be discharged from m aeroplane. The trials were inconclusive, owing to the engine's not working properly and necessitating a hasty descent. Discrepancies exist in the statements as to the height attained, but it was undoubtedly very low, ai d not more than 800 ft. The sandbage, it is stated, in some instances touched points about 20ft from those aimed at. Obviously an aeroplane at a height of but 250 ft or 300 ft would be open to destructive fire from riflea or artillery, and or meet with any success it should attack from a fa ereater altitude, probably not less then 1,500 ft. At this height the difficulty of throwing a bomb to strike a certain point of earth or sea would be very great indeed, fsr greater probably than in dropping it from a dirigible at a height of 3,000 feet or more. The aeroplane bombthrower has to allow for the high forward speed of the machine on which he is travelling, and this may be over forty miles an hour, and as pro-

gresa may be in an upward aa well as in a forward direction, he would require an enormous amount of practice ere he could attain any accuracy of aim. He would not be able to study

the wind currents and other conditions which might be observed from an almost stationary dirigible. Unquestionably successful marksmanship will first be attained on dirigibles. For the present, therefore, the role of the aeroplane is that of a scouting and observation agent, and a good deal ot progress must yet be made ere it can be deputed to serve in any other capacity. Before the flying machine can be usefully employed for carrying out attacks on forts, fleets, etc., it will probably be utilised as a destroyer of military balloons and dirigibles, although, as hab been the dirigible would have cer'ain advantages in a conflict ot this kind.