BRITISH AIRCRAFT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 27, 31 July 1937, Page 9

BRITISH AIRCRAFT

INTEREST OF THE WORLD

Many types of, British aeroplanes, civil and military, were flown here today by master pilots, with the object of demonstrating, speed, manoeuvrability, and other qualities, wrote Major C. C. Turner from Hatfield to the "Daily Telegraph" on June 29.

■• Thousands of guests, foreign and British," invited by the Society of British Aircraft Constructors, were the spectators. The air, naval, and military attaches of foreign countries and delegates to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale conference, which has just been held in London, were among them. Thirty, types of aeroplanes were flown by test pilots, and in some cases by the designers themselves, with the object of demonstrating special qualities. The four-engined "Albatross" land built for the Air Ministry for Atlantic experiments, was demonstrated. It is certainly one of the most beautiful aeroplanes ever designed, despite its great size and four engines. Its cruising speed is probably more than 200 m.p.h. NEW BOMBER'S SPEED. One of the new four-engined Empire flying-boats, the Calpernia, flew over the aerodrome repeatedly at a low altitude, revealing the great security now afforded by British engines. Most of the display flights included highest and lowest speeds, and they showed that while there have been great increases in the speeds of aeroplanes, low speed flying has been improved chiefly by the use of trailing edge flaps, simple or split. The new "Harrow" heavy bomber gave a remarkable exhibition of low-speed flying.

An advanced Hawker "Hart" bomber, fitted with the Mercury engine and rotol constant speed propeller, showed by its steep, rapid climbing the importance of propellers of variable pitch.

The day brought a triumph for the sleeve-valve engines of the Bristol firm which have led the. world in this highly important development.

A new light bomber shown was the Hawker "Henley," obviously one of great speed.

New training machines, the D.H, Don, the Phillips and Powis, and the Airspeed Oxford, were evidence of the need to step-up training in line with the all-round improvement in aeroplane performance. One machine has a speed of 290 m.p.h. All are cabin types.

The demonstrations gave a highly favourable impression, and it is to be regretted that restrictions of various kinds prevent British manufacturers from taking full advantage of openings in the world markets.