SPEED IN THE AIR

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 132, 7 June 1930, Page 10

SPEED IN THE AIR

BRITAIN'S PROGRESS SEVEN MILES A MINUTE (From "The Posts's" Representative.) LONDON, 2nd May. Will British seaplanes attain the phenomenal speed of seven miles . a minute before the end of the year? This question (writes a "Daily Chronicle" aviation correspondent) is being seriously discussed in air circles, and it is believed the attainment of such a speed is not impossible. That speeds in'the neighbourhood of 400 miles an hour will be reached is regarded as certain. During the week the high-speed Gloster-Napier machine which was built for tho Schneider Trophy race and has been undergoing modi- • iications designed to add substantially to its maximum speed is to be sent from, Cheltenham to Felixstowe. Then the programme of high-speed research work which has been laid down by the Air Ministry will begin in earnest. Already tho Superniariue S6 seaplane, proved to be capable over a measured courso of a speed of 357.7 miles an, hour, is at Felixstowe. Squadron-Leader A. H. Orlebar, who was skipper of the British Schneider Trophy team, is in charge of the research operations. The tests and experiments are to. be of a most exhaustive nature. They are designed to show not merely maximum speeds, but physical effect on pilots travelling faster than man has travelled since time was. There is to be no official attack on the world specif record, which is already held for this country by Squad-ron-Leader Orlebar. But a new apparatus will be used to secure much more , information about speeds than would be obtainable by timing tho 'planes across a measured distance. The result of this research work will have a tremendous effect on the futuro design of fighting and scout 'planes built for the R.A.E. That is its purpose. It is contended that there is no re;son why, in five or six years'time, thij ordinary standard servico machine should not be capable of a speed whici is now regarded as possible only to spe-cially-designed and constructed racing aircraft. Already fighting 'planes possess a maximum velocity which was deemed impossible a few years ago, and tho year's tests may well raise this to live or six miles a niinute.