THE FLYING EGG

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 February 1937, Page 3

THE FLYING EGG

BOMBER, FIGHTER, INTERCEPTOR

In 1915 a young Dutchman changed tho world’s ideas of war in the air. writes Victor Burnett, in the “Sunday Express.” He invented a device that enabled a machine-gun to fire through the propeller.

The day he invented it real air warfare began. Round his device small, inanoeuvrenble, high-speed singleseaters wero built. The young Dutchman’s name was Anthony Fokker. Tho new idea he brought stood unchanged through Ihe years. Fighters were faster, more efficient. more expensive—but in principle they were the same. Last week the entire aviation world saw that its ideas had to be changed. Anthony Fokker’s latest warplane was responsible. For the second time the Dutchman had changed military ideas. The machine is called the Scythe. And it is the most deadly instrument that ever flew. It Hooks'like a sharp ended winged

«gg. with two fuselages supporting'the tail. An engine is on each wjng. Its

wheels fold up into the engine cases when it is flying. Hidden in its streamlined body are 1000 pounds of bombs. The pointed tail is a battleship gun turret, worked automatically, with tho gun able tn fire at any angle. And in its rounded nose are two quickfirers, with magazines of 100 explosive shells. Just one of these shells would blast an aircraft to pieces. Above these cannon are two machineguns. ~ Thpre .is.j’OQjn in.tho fuselage-for complete radio equipment and photo-

graphic apparatus. The. crew consists of pilot and gunner. ' The speed

is 300 miles an hour. The range exceeds 1000 miles. Tho Scythe is an air battle cruisei. It can do anything. Instead of a series of fast fighters, with short ranges, being sent up at intervals to intercept a raid, squadrons of these machines can patrol over segments of a circle, at varying heights. It is a real interceptor. In Paris, at the aviation exhibition, everyone was ask ng which air force the Scythe was intended for. I can answer- that quest km. ‘ ’ The Royal Dutch Air Force willi'be equipped with them first.