SHOT FROM CATAPULT.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 136, 10 June 1924, Page 5

SHOT FROM CATAPULT.

ROCKET PLANES AT 400 MILES AN HOUR. FRANCE'S SECRET. I LONDON, June 2. j Jules Verne's story of the journey tc the moon will not seem so fantastic ii the latest French design of rocket aero planes is perfected. The aeronautical correspondent of the London "Daily Mail" discloses a scheme wh,'ch, if perfected, could translate intc fact Jules Verne's fantastic story of the journey to the moon. The secret "rocket aeroplanes" of the French ex periracntal programme include a man carrying 'plane possessing neither engine nor propeller. It resembles thw, machine suggested by Sir Oliver Lodge, whiel: would be propelled by the ejection at high speed of gas from the srifern. The hull is fitted with apnajatus foi producing, under pressure in, tion chamber, gas, which is ejected from the tail through nozzles. This ceaseless discharge is calculated to drive the winger "rocket" at an unprecedented speed, probably at nearly 400 miles ar hour. The experts realise the riskiness o1 the experimentation stages, and witli this "jet propulsion" they will not at first attempt high speed. With the view of overcoming the difficulties of ascend ing and alighting, they will launch the machine by a hydraulic catapult, and arrange for landing upon a skein oi elevated wires. Discussing Britain's purpose in calling an international conference for the limitations of aerial forces, "Popolo d'italia" (which, says the Milan correspondent of the "Times," is supposed to reflect the views of the Italian Air Department) declares that Italy will not favour such a purpose, and that the Italian Government will support its point of view with the argument thai aviation is still capable of great development, which must not be prevented. Moreover, says the paper, far from reducing the British air programme, the Mac Donald Government is spending more money on it. "Without being particularly alarmed at tbe aerial preparations of other countries, Italy cannot afford to ignore them. She has only recently begun to develop military aviation, and'she is determined to bring it up to a standard worthy of her political situation." The paper concludes by declaring that only when this standard is reached will Italy consider any proposal.for an international air conference.