AIRCRAFT RESEARCH WORK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 12 January 1921, Page 8

AIRCRAFT RESEARCH WORK

SEEKING NETVV~ ENGINES

At the recent Air Conference in London, a large number or delegates listened to Air Vice-Marshal oir E. L. Ellingtons paper upon aie present position or aircraft researca and contemplated developments. Aircraft development, he said, lias gone a long way anoad oi research. Two new engines were oemg developed, cpiite different from the normal aeronautical engine. One of these was the steam turbine. So far the solutions of all the problems of a steam aero engine have not been round, the mam difficulty being the design of an efficient condenser within permissible weights. Of amphibians he declared that their recent appearance was an event of some importance from the point of view of civil aerial transport. Discussing the question of engine development, he showed the. ultimate great divergence that must take place in the designs between the military and the civil machines. one particularly interesting development to increase aeroplane efficiency was what is known as “forced induction” for the engine, combined with a propeller with adjustable blades. The idea was this. When the aeroplane ascends the air in which it moves becomes more rarefied; there is less oxygen for the cylinders and power strokes. By forcing more air in, more oxygen is present for combustion, but no very satisfactory combination had yet been arrived ar. Solution of the fuel problem, he believed, would be found either in the application of a means to use heavier oil fuels or the use of the steam turbine.

Regarding airships, he said the surrender of the GeVman ships L7l and L 64 gave them an opportunity for comparison with British vessels. The weight of their gas bags was much less than we had been able to construct.

Very thorough investigations are being made by us in the .blast, as to the" most suitable material for airship fabrics in the tropics, and the most promising idea seemed to be to treat the gas bag with a bright aluminium substance.

Experiments carried out last year showed that airships can remain at a masthead in alt conditions of weather, and only six men are required as crew in light airs to bring the airship to her moorings. A more complete resign .of mast has keen developed, and one is about to oe erected at Howden fitted with lifts, hauling tackle, and permanent petrol, gas and water mains. With this mast it is expected that the operation of mooring, even in bad weather, will be possible with the assistance of quite a small landing party. The only obstacle now to the use of aircraft at all times, day or night, was fog and mist on the landing ground. Experiments are, being made for the dispersion of fog and for the illumination of landing grounds. Developments are also going on to increase the safety of the crew and passenthe safety of the crew and passengers by preventing fires and in the -use of parachutes.