AEROPLANE RIVALS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 296, 8 September 1908, Page 5

AEROPLANE RIVALS.

CLOSE COMPETITION. delacrange and the wrichts. LONG FLIGHTS. (BY TZLEGEAPJI—I'RESS ASSOCIATION'—COPYLtIGIIT.) (Rec. September 7, 9.53 p.m.) Paris, September 7. M. Delagrange's aeroplane accomplished a flight of 24 kilometres 727 metres (roughly IS 1-3 miles) in 20min. oOsec. Wright brothers' aeroplane flew 22 kilometres (approximately 13J miles) in 19miu. •Msec, RECENT PERFORMANCES. PRIZE FOB FLIGHT WITHOUT THE MOTOR. The race between the aeroplanists becomes more' and more exciting. The following table shows how the distances and times of the present flights (Delagrange's and the Wrights') compare with the distances and times of the best previous flights, by Farman and Delagrange, in July and June last:— Miles. Hours; Minutes. Delagrange 15 1-3 20 50 Wrights 13£ 19 49 Farman (July) .. 12 20 19 Delagrange (June) 11 19 55 The above table does not include the private —but apparently authenticated—performances of the Wrights 'in America last year. In Soptember and October last they were credited with flying 2-1,20 miles in 38min. 13sec., 20.75 miles in 33inin.' 17sec., and 15.25 milos in 25 min. ssec. ' In August M. Delagrange said he was literally disconcerted by what lie saw the Wrights do, and that their machine was far lighter and safer than ' those of rivals. But the Frenchman has now the satisfaction of knowing that, at any rate as far as performances on French soil are concerned, he is so far ahead of the Americans.

The real goal in aeronautics—flight without the motor—is. the subject of a new prize. The Paris correspondent of "The Times" says: "M. Ren6 Quinton, the distinguished biologist, has offered a prize of 10,fl00f. (£100) to the aeronaut who will fly for five minutes without using his metor.. That is to say, M. Quinton asks merely that men should do for a few moments what birds have been doing for hours at a time daily for ages. M. Quinton's proposal has made a sensation in sporting circles, and it is recognised that the question of tho conquest of the air by 'the heavier than air' is not likely to be solved until it becomes possible literally, to sail in the air as do eagles, vultures, condors, and other birds. It should be said that tho Wrights affirm that they havo remained 72 seconds with _ their motor stopped in tho teeth of the wind, at the same time flying against it. "M. Quinton, interviewed by the 'Eclair,' points out that the public makes a serious mistake in thinking that aerial navigation will never be practical owing to the immense force required and the obstacle caused by the wind. The truth, he says, is just the reverse. Tho carrier pigeon covers moro than 1000 kilometres without eating, or drinking—that is to say, without. replenishing its motor—'a clear proof of the small amount of coal or petroleum employed.' The wind; therefore, instead of being an obstacle, is a source of strength which will render aerial locomotion one of the most rapid and economic in the world. M. Quinton is convinced that within a brief period we shall witness a spectacle similar to that of ten years ago in the case of the motorcar industry."