AEROPLANES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7829, 23 June 1909, Page 4

AEROPLANES.

A CHRISTCHURCH INVENTION.

Christchurch has just discovered that it rejoices m 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 lias 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, 40 feet, as the Wright Brothers' aeroplane, but will have a lifting surface of 1620 feet, as against their 500 feet, and at the same speed will carry over 40001 b, as against their 12501 b. 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 machine will be under 20001 b, and he believes that it could fly for several days. Mr Coates 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 m his garden .and two m the large volunteer barracks, where, however, four of the rudders were broken through contact with the ground. The deadness of the air m the hall was a considerable disadvantage. Mr Coates has protected portions of his invention, and as soon as lie reaches England he will have a full-sized machine constructed.