AUCKLAND-BUILT GLIDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20842, 8 April 1931, Page 10

AUCKLAND-BUILT GLIDER.

SUCCESSFUL TEST FLIGHTS.. ENCLOSED FUSELAGE TYPE. The first enclosed-fuselage type of glider to be built in New Zealand was completed recently by an Auckland enthusiast, Mr. H. G. Pointon, and successful flights were made during the week-end. The machine, which is known as The Hawk, has been the work of many months, but the designer is qviite satisfied with its performance.

The glider is built of light wood, and the wings and fuselage are covered with fabric. The front of the fuselage is panelled in aluminium and the sides of the cock-pit are of three-ply wood, to give extra strength and rigidity. The whole machine, which is a single-seater, is painted a bright yellow and is particularly graceful and impressive in flight. Built on the high-wing monoplane design, the machine closely resembles a PuS3 Moth in appearance, and the owner is of the opinion that a small engine could be successfully fitted to make the craft into a power-driven aeroplane if slight alterations were made to the fuselage. There is no real tinder-carriage, the machine landing on a knife-edge immediately beneath the pilot's cock-pit.

The machine is launched on the catapault principle, and takes the air readily when there is a slight wind blowing. A flexible rope is passed round a hook under the fuselage, the two ends being stretched away by assistants until it is considered that there will bo sufficient power to lift the machine. At a signal from the pilot, tho machine, which is held down while the rope is being drawn tight, is released, and tho sharp recoil of tho rope causes it to move forward and gain flying speed. As soon as the glider leaves the ground, the loose ropo falls from the hook, and tlie pilot is free to manoeuvre into advantageous air-currents. The Hawk was found to be particularly sensitive on the controls, ami tho pilot said it was very stable in the air. Perfect landings were mode, the craft gliding in at a gentle angle and coming to rest on the knife-edge with no signs of bumping. Further tests will bo carried out shortly.