SECOND ’PLANE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 163, 23 April 1935, Page 7

SECOND ’PLANE

WORK OF A YOUNG MAN.

EARLIER CRASH RECALLED.

(Special to the “ Guardian.”} TE PUKE, April 17

A high-wing monoplane, with an enclosed cabin, which will accommodate two passengers, is being built by Mr J. C. Alljson, of Whakatane. It will be equipped with a Curtis aero engine of 70-h.p., giving a cruising speed of 90 m.p.h., and a landing speed of 40 tn.p.h. Mr Allison, who is 27, and one of a family of four boys, came to Whakatane about twelve years ago in order to complete liis education at the Whakatane High School. On leaving school he became an apprentice in a motor garage. This position enabled him to experiment with old cars. He used parts of the engines for canoes and outboard l motors, and also; took a delight in motor-car racing. In his twentieth year Mr Allison decided to build a monoplane for his own use. On obtaining the plans from America he built the ’plane with a small, single seat, powered with a twin-cylinder Laurence engine, approximately 28 horse-power. It was of a conventional wooden structure with fabric covering. The wing span was 28ft., the length 21ft., and a total weight of 7o'olb. The performances of this ’plane proved disappointing, as the engine only developed 16-horse-P However, in the test flight at the Ohope Beach, Whakatane, it was found that the ’plane was able to fly steadily and to climb to a height of 2300 ft. -on several occasions. It also made one cross-country flight to Rotorua—a distance of about fifty miles, but while on the return journey from Rotorua it was completely through colliding with trees at the end 1 of the field where Mr Allison was taking off. ~ The damage was so great that tne ’plane was not worth repairing, so i Allison began to prepare a design ol his own for a new ’plane, which is no nearing completion.