AUSTRALIANS FLYING.

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 76, 27 September 1916, Page 10

AUSTRALIANS FLYING.

Recent war cables contained an item to the effect that 200 men were to bo selected from the Anzac Contingents on the*.Somme front for -training as aviators, as their adaptability for this clnss of work was highly appreciated by -tho war authorities. A private communication from a well-known N.S.W. motorist, who for somo time has held a commission in the Royal Flying Corps, states that the British Air Service has assumed huge proportions, and that this crack corps comprises a large number of Australians, Canadians, and South Africans. Tho motorist in question, who hails from the Riverina district, is now a second pilot' (the ambition of all the flying( men) aboard a fast high seator fighter. Tlie machine develops 120 h.p., carries -J-ton petrol (allowing a flight of six hours), can fly at 15,000 ft, and is exceptionally fast. On -two consecutive days, this machine made trips of 250 miles, scouting over the enemy's lines. Engine-bearing troubles are the bugbear of the aviators, the planes themselves now giving very little trouble. It appears that the * engines are mostly run "lull out," with the result that .tho "Gnome" bearings generally require- attention after about 20 hours' use. On the big stationary engines, Uu hours' working is generally the maximum service before tho bearings havo to be attended to. Windage gives very little trouble when up 2000 ft on the big machines. Of his actual fighting and scouting experiences he says little, not because of lack of exciting incidents, but- of their frequency, they being, as ho laconically puts it, " all in your day's work."

Trailers for Commercial Work.— One of the logical developments of the commercial vehicle is the trailer, for the fact is being rediscovered that a motor vehicle, even when fully loaded, can pull another loaded vehicle. Although this method of hauling goods may not be entirely desirable in cities, there are im- | portant possibilities in other localities, I especially at manufacturing plants. Whcr. goods are to be taken to different destinations, two lots may be separated, the truck taking one consignment, while the other is loaded upon .a trailer, which is dropped at its destination, while the truck goes on to another point, picking up the trailer on its return trip. This avoids much delay in loading and unloading, and enables the truck to be kept in more continuous operation, with corresponding economy. M.'i-king Motor Trucks Pay.—The averago owner of a, motor truck fails to gel tlie full value of his investment on "account of the haphazard manner in which he u_eo it. With modern equipment

modern methods should be adopted, and the principle recognised that standing equipment is a dead investment. Tho loading and routing of the truck should be carefully studied to keep it moving as constantly as possible, but, as a rule, two-thirds of the working day is wasted in loading and unloading, as a result of lack of foresight and system. Loads should be assembled and properly placed beforehand to ensure quick handling, and ample space kept free for equally rapid discharge; and in this connection tho extended use of detachable bodies, enabling entire loads to be handled by a single operation, and the truck started off again without delay, is worthy of moro general consideration.