Modern Aircraft

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 33, 2 November 1934, Page 13

Modern Aircraft

Sir, —“Fair-minded” does not give a very fair-minded account of the Schneider Trophy. It was won by Britain in 1914 and in 1922. In 1926 Italy fairly beat America for it, and in 1927 and 1929 Britain fairly beat Italy for it. Only in 1931 did Britain win it without competition, at 340 miles an hour. The 407 m.p.h. was a separate and much shorter run. Only last year (1933) Britain held the speed, distance and height records simultaneously.

I do not deny that at the present moment tlie American airliners are much faster than the British, but the British aircraft industry has a fairly good export trade, and I venture to believe that Britain, which produces Rolls-Royce, Napier. and other famous aircraft engines, does produce aircraft as. efficient, on the average, as American aircraft, considering cost, fuel consumption, wing loading, handiness, etc., though America has a much larger internal market. —I am, etc., R. H. FITZHERBERT. Havelock North, October 31.

Sir, —i would like to point out one or two facts in the controversy about the performance of British machines, in particular the De Haviland Comet, in the air race : — , (a) The Comet has two 230 h.p. engines compared with the two 700 h.p. engines of the Douglas. It has also shown its ability, to fly and maintain height on one engine. (b) The Comets were completed only just in time for the race (the workmen worked night .and day). The actual fuel consumption trials were carried out during-the race, so short was the available time. Every new type of aeroplane has “teething’* troubles, and undergoes at least a three months course of trials before entering into service. The wonder is that the Comet reached Australia at all.—l am, etc. JOHN RIDDIFORD. Featherston, October 20.

Sir, —May I again trespass on your valuable space to ask “Fair-Minded a few questions? Perhaps he can tell me why W'iley Post had to try aud seek an advantage by flying miles high in the stratosphere at amazing speeds. And why could he not compete in his wonderful American machine against other competitors under ordinary conditions, and at usual flying heights? Did he find the speeds he attained not so great as he expected ? Does “Fair-Minded” know that in England an aeroplane super-charger can be made, let alone repaired, in less than six weeks, which was the time Wiley Post had to repair his? We hear a lot about the wonderful speeds attained by American machines when they are flying in their own country. But when it comes to an air race in open competition they either pull out or get beaten. And what about this wonderful American plane of Fitzmaurice’s? Twice he has started off to break Scott’s record, but twice he has returned for repairs. Were he flying in the air race he would have been out of it from the start. Did not McGregor and Walker say that their English plane and engine were in their class the best in the world. —I am, etc.. BRITISHER. Foxton. October 31. Sir, —Why all the boosting of American planes in your paper by correspondents? If we have no national pride in British workmanship from a purely commercial point of should not belittle British planes. Britain’s prosperity is ours. All entrants in the air speed race deserve the highest praise, especially the unselfish action of Melrose, but Scoit and Black in. a British plane won. the race fairly. Their endurance has thrilled other nations. Surely we who have British blood in our veins should be able to give our praise a little less stinted aud grudingly. If an American plane could have done the trip in a better. time, as according to “Not an American” it could have done, the fact remains it didn’t. No doubt if an American plane did win we should have fired, a volley of guns and had the sirens blowing, but let us not keep harping on other planes and give honour where honour is due, —I am, etc, NORMAL-MENDED. Lower Hutt, October 31. .

Sir, —Your correspondent “FairMinded,” writing in- Saturday's issue of “The Dominion,” evidently takes delight in trying to belittle the achievement of the British D.H. Comet, winner of the Centenary Air Race. It is admitted that the Douglas airliner, flown by Parmentier and Moll, made a wonderful flight, and incidentally. I would point out to “Fair-Minded” that a prominent French airman has made a comparison of the two planes, am. has named the Comet for best performance.

Of course. “Fair-Minded” may have better qualifications to judge : than the French air ace, but as “Fair-Minded’s” identity is not disclosed, it may be pardonable if one accepts the French aviator’s opinion. Furthermore, if “Fair-Minded” is. true to label and unbiased, why. then, did ue not make any mention of the American entrants who were forced to abandon the race on account of' engine trouble and other mishaps?—l am. etc., C. S. LISTER. Masterton, October 29. ~