1000 M.P.H. WITHOUT ENGINES

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 269, 10 August 1938, Page 11

1000 M.P.H. WITHOUT ENGINES

Prophecy Of Famous Aircraft Designer

(“Dominion” Special Service: By Airmail.J I London, July 23. In 20 years’ time we shall be able to fly in aeroplanes without pilot, engines or propellers That is the startling prophecy made this week by Sir Alliott Verdon-Roe, the world-famous aircraft designer, who 'believes that jetpropelled engineless planes, travelling almost as fast as the earth, will oust petrol-engine craft. “Experiments are -already being carried out in France and Germany,” lie said. “By 1958 we shall have aeroplanes which will soar through the stratosphere at speeds of nearly 1000 miles an hour. “They will -be controlled from tlie ground by radio. Their secret will lie a motive power dependent on a continuous supply of gas discharged at high, pressure from a slot in the leading edge of tlie wings. “Such a method will give three times the amount of energy from the same amount of fuel. In other words, flying for the man-in-the-str-eet, will be onethird the cost of to-day.

“The number of passengers, such a plane could carry, would be enormous —2OO is quite a low estimate. People will be able to have a late lunch in London and an early tea in New York.”