GIANT SEAPLANE

Evening Star, Issue 20312, 22 October 1929, Page 9

GIANT SEAPLANE

CARRIES 150 PASSENGERS FIRST TRIAL FLIGHT Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, October 21. tßeceived October 22, at 10 a.m.) The giant Dornier seaplane took off from Lake Constance at 11.10 foi a two hours’ flight, carrying 150 passengers and a crow of ten. No machine, whether lighter or heavier than air, lias ever carried such a number before. The seaplane weighs 51 tons and catries a weight of 21 tons, and her aveiago speed is 115 miles per hour. Australian Press Association-United Service. EQUIPPED WITH BRITISH ENGINES AIR MINISTRY ORDERS SIMILAR MACHINE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 21. (Received October 22, at 11 a-m.) The feat of the German giant flying boat Dornier Do.X. in making a flight of one hour over Lake Constance with 150 passengers and a crew of ten is regarded here ns a remarkable development in aviation. Satisfaction is felt in aeronautical circles that British engines are again showing their merits, for the twelve great engines of the Do.X., each of which develops 525 ‘horsepower, are British Jupiter engines. It is now believed that the Biitish Air Ministry has placed an order tor a machine of similar character and of practically the same dimensions as the Dornier Do.X. This machine is designed for civil aviation purposes. The details arc kept secret, but much is expected of the machine. It is stated that it will probably be a triplane with twelve engines between the lower and middle wings. WORLD’S BIGGEST PLANE DR DORHIER'S ACHIEVEMENT Dr Dormer's greatest achievement, the Do.X (Dornier X), the words largest plane, is regarded as another stop toward transatlantic mail and passenger service, states the 1 Literary Digest.’ She has twelve engines, tota - ling 0.000 h.p. She is 130 ft long, with a 100 ft wing spread. 'ihe motors in the Do.X have plenty of reserve, and can bo throttled about 40 pci cent, right after the start. Although some of the gigantic craft s dimensions were already known, the first impression tho visitor gets when entering its vast hangar is amazement at its overwhelming size. But alter climbing for an hour through the ship s interior and through the labyrinth ol gangways, docks, corridors, motor gondolas, and wings astonishment grows, ana with it admiration. Tho ship’s hull does not differ greatly Irom tliat ot any ordinary' sea vessel, with its deep keel and “ eyes ” lor anchors, and it appears plausible that tho Do.X will easily cut the waves of what is called a sea of force 3 or lorce 4 of near-gale intensity. Entering tho ship through a corridor which cuts tho middle or main deck, exclusively reserved for passengers, into two parts oi unequal size, one looks in vain for cabins such as are found on Zeppelins. While partitions alrcadv are visible whore tho trallies of sections have been fixed,_ they arc as yet uncovered, tho ceiling is missing, and innumerable electric wires, pipes, and steel cables are visible. The smaller one of two rooms in front is brighter than the other, as it has more windows, and apparently is intended to bo a dining parlour and reading room. In front of this room and beneath it baggage will be stored. On the other side of the _ corridor staterooms and berths will lie installed. Below this room are four huge tanks with a capacity of 3,000 litres (nearly 800 gallons) of benzine each, and two smaller ones of a capacity of 2,000 litres, bringing tho total amount of fuel to 16.000 litres, which is considered sufficient to carry 120 passengers and their baggage a distance of CSO miles. With a smaller number of passengers ’he radius can ho increased. Behind the large passengers’ room is a small electric kitchen and a lew smali rooms for various purposes. From the corridor leads a small ladder to tho upper deck, which is reserved tor the operating activities. The pilot’s room, which is in the front, and tho brightest room on the ship, owing to tho large number qt windows, which aro arranged in a semicircle, contrasts greatly _ with other pi lots’ cabins. Outside of two chairs and two gas switches at each side, there are only three or four instruments, including a compass, a balance _ apparatus for foggy weather, and a signboard for the commander’s signals. With on© switch the pilot is able to shut six motors off, vary the gas, or stop a particular motor. In ease of emergency or while landing all twelve motors can be stopped by pushing a single knob. Thus tho steering is just ns easy as with a small two-motored plane, and the steering wheel is so light that a child would he able to move it. Only one pilot, steers the ship at a time. Next to the pilot’s room is the cabin of the commander and the assistant navigation officer. This room is only separated from the pilots by a screen, which permits the commander to observe the pilots and the ship’s nose, to determine the course, Tho adjoining room is the most important of all. It contains tho main switchboards, the machinery for controlling tho motor units, etc. Tho engineer in charge will be as sisted by four mechanicians, who will bo constantly occupied in attending u the twelve motors and the accessories. To get into the motor gondolas men must crawl on all fours through the wings, but after reaching the gondolas they will be able to stand upright or sit down on the ladder. The number of wires concentrated in each gondola is surprising. A small door leads from the gondola on to the wings, and gives the men access to every part of the motors, propellers, etc. Each gondola contains two motors of nine cylinders each. A foiir-piseed propeller is at each end of the motors, one in front of the wings be other behind. Behind the machinery room a radio station for one operator. This brings the crew up to ten men. The lower deck contains space for fuel tanks, provisions, and sea equipment.