AIRSHIPS AND AEROPLANES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 254, 24 October 1907, Page 4

AIRSHIPS AND AEROPLANES.

We hear a good deal from time to time about the wonderful experimental feats in the air of " La Patrie," France's military airship, and " Parseval,'' her German rival, but little or nothing about v/hat Great Britain is doing to grapple with the aerial problem. The fact is that the British military authorities are maintaining the strictest possible secrecy regarding the details of the new dirigible airship just completed at Aldershot. It has not yet been tried in the air, but Major Baden-Powell, the well-known balloon expert, has expressed the opinion that Britain will not be found to be lagging behind her Continental rivals in this new development of the art of war. The balloon staff at Aldershot are delighted with the new airship, and have the greatest faith in its capacity. They agree that it will prove a great advance On any previous vessel of the kind. Cal-

dilations give to> the new air Balloon a carrying capacity of eleven men. It can, however, be perfectly well handled by tlrree, and the difference between .the weight- of three men and of eleven can be made up by explosives. The fact that the airship could, convey explosives is an important advance on anything now existing, and the advance is all the more marked owing to the quantity which could he stored on board.

In addition to the building of the new airship, other important aeronautic work is being'done at Aldershot. It is reported, though with what measure of authority one cannot say, that a practical aeroplane has been devised, and that it will bo made, but not tried, at Aldershot. The place is too well watched by the intelligence agents of foreign Governments. A distinguished amateur in aeronautics has devoted his time and wealth to the task of improving the .aeroplane. The Government have provided him with a little camp, enclosed by a barbed wire fence, just outside the balloon factory. What he can do in the way of aeroplane is described by a " Daily Mail" representative:—

" Tethered by an invisible wire to the post in his tent, a model aeroplane, in the shape of a > hawk, flew high in the air. So perfect is the resemblance to the bird of prey, hovering as if ready to swoop down on a victim, that aU the real birds forsake the neighbourhood when the hawk-like aeroplane is in the air. I watched it for a long time today, and was amazed at its steadiness, and to see how level was its poise. The amateur in question, who objects to all public mention of his name, is widely known among aeronauts all over the world. He has made many improvements in aeronautics, and if he has solved the secret of the practical aeroplane the British Army will be ahead of any other in its mastery of the air."

In spite of all the success which is attending invention in the way of airships, Major Blden-Powell believes the aeroplane is the thing of the future. It is bound to come to the front, and probably it will come suddenly. The Major has himself 100 models, some of which go steadily in a strong wind, and no doubt some energetic inventor will discover the secret of successful flight before long. No one, however, seems Inclined to put down money to encourage invention in this direction. "If we could get a few hundreds," says tb.e Major, "it would do much, despite the fact that some people think that many thousands of pounds are necessary. If we could get someone to risk the money, we should soon have a good, practical machine. There is no hope- of the Government doing that. They do not like risking the money because .there is a chance that they amy spend thousands and get no result. At the same time, I do not say they dre spending nothing that way now, because small experiments are going on Which may have important consequences."