MAYO COMPOSITE AIRCRAFT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22341, 3 March 1938, Page 1 (Supplement)

MAYO COMPOSITE AIRCRAFT

Demonstration Flight The official demonstration flight, at Rochester last week, of the Mayo composite aircraft was most successful. The smaller aeroplane, the Mercury, was piloted by Flying Officer H. L. Piper, a New Zealander. Captain J. I*. Parker piloted the mother craft, the Maia. Captain Parker said: "When v.-e parted all I felt was a sudden lurch downwards. It was quite easy. I am sure we will do it safely in any flying conditions. There was no danger of the machines fouling. The** was a minimum stress in parting of oOOOIp, one aeroplane straining upwards and tfae other downwards." The machines made their first separation in* mid-air on February 7. It was a successful flight, the two components parting wMIe travelling about 140 miles an hour. The Mayo composite aircraft *s of two aeroplanes—a smaller one which rests on the top of a bigger one. The bigger machine takes off and when both pilots are ready the "smaller machine is released from the bigger one and takes off. The craft wa» specially designed for long distance flying. N.Z. Girl Tennis Players Members of the New Zealand girls* team, who are taking part in the junior tennis championships, have been successful. Jacfc Crawford, an Australian champion, said: "T&e play in the New South Wales tennis championships has proved that the New ZealanA

standard is at least equal to ours. Miss Be-** erley and Miss Wilsonjparticularly impressed. Miss Beverley makes all her shots with purpose, and when she strengthens her service She Will be outstanding. Miss Armstrong feas a well-produced game, and is likely to vm prove."