AVIATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16405, 27 December 1918, Page 4

AVIATION.

(EXHIBITION AT SOCKBUKN.

The idea of having a ..public gather- | iug'at the flying grounds of tho Canterbury Aviation Company at Sockburn yestordav proved to bo a good one, and ' between 2000 and 3000 people attended to sco the flights mado by Messrs C. M. Hill, chief instructor, and Mr Mcrcer, assistant instructor. Tho weather was inclined to be a little dull at noon, and tho wind was south-cabterly. but within an hour the sun was shining, and a steady breeze blow from the. north-east, and continued all the afternoon. Tho big crowd took a good deal of interest in the buildings and hangars, and also in the afternoon tea. which was served in the dining hall at a small charge. Inside one of the hangars a select few were permitted to see tho new 'plane, which should be in tho air in about four weeks' time. This is a very speedy-looking 'bus, oil the lines of i<ie last military scouts used on tlio 'Western front. Ii is a two-seater, witTi an enclosed .-trcam line fusilage. An SO h.p. engine .will be fitted. Ailerons, instead of wing warping, will control the 'piano laterally. and the whole machine, which is a> yet unfinished, reflects great credit on Mr McKie, the builder. It will be exceedingly interesiing to watch tho performance of the 'plane in the air, as ii is l.y far the most modern typo c.f aircraft yet built in this country . and should be very fast, stable, and controllable.

Messrs llil! and Mcrcer had a race in two 100 h.p. d.vjhlo-*cator.s. with Messrs Smith and Howies as passengers. Tho eouii?e v.o-: from the aerodrome to the Show Grounds and back, a total distance of about eight miles: the finishing "post." was the landing ling at the aerodrome. The two men started off at 2.2S p.m.: they were seen to turn six mintues nicer starting, and Mr Hill landed (iitit near the ring at 2.3G p.m., making the time for tho trip eight minings altogether. Mr Mercer was; the fastest in the air. '".it misunderstood the conditions, and did not land near the ring. The times were not taken with a stop-watch, but the average *pe">d must hare be~n about 00 mills ner hour, the return journey, with the wind, bping done about three timos as fust as-the out .trip. During the afternoon Mr .Hill gave a v«ry fmc exhibition of aerobatics. cartwheeling, jiose-clivii"». a?id so on, and was heartily applauded on landing.