AID TO AVIATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 222, 15 August 1930, Page 7

AID TO AVIATION.

AUSTRALIAN’S DEVICE. “I want the Wragg compound wing for aeroplanes to be reorganised as an Australian invention, and to retain its identity,” said Mr C. A. Wragg, of Melbourne, to an interviewer in London. ‘‘At present I am trying to arrange for trials by the Air Ministry. The Italian Government is very keen. It has paid my expenses for a visit to Italy, and has made a license agreement, whereby a royalty will be paid on each of tlxeae devices fitted to Italian machines.

‘‘The invention, however, will lose its identity when applied to Italy under this agreement.”

The Wragg compound wing was invented by Mr C. A. Wragg, a former resident of Melbourne. It comprises a small wing to fit to the training wing of an aeroplane, and by its use it creates a drag which makes landing easier, and is also useful for taking off, in that it shortens the distance of the taxi run. It was originally designed for amphibian machines, for which it was claimed that it would not be affected by water. The Shirosky Company of America tried out several aeroplanes equipped with the invention, and reported that it was a great success. The invention was brought before the notice of the authorities of the Royal Air Force in 1926, when it was thoroughly examined, and a report prepared, but Britain apparently did nothing further with it.