The Aviation World.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21130, 12 March 1932, Page 5 (Supplement)

The Aviation World.

AUCKLAND AERO CLUB NEWS.

BY AILERON. The Auckland Aero Club will be well represented at the Wanganui Club's pageant, to be held next Saturday, and local pilots will take part in every event for which they are eligible. Thero was keen competition among pilots for the use of the availablo machines, and a ballot was taken to decide who would fly to Wanganui next Friday. The instructor, Flight-Lieutenant D. M. Allan, will fly the Fuss Moth, with Mrs. E. R. Boucher and Mrs. S. A. Andrew as passengers, while the other pilots will be Messrs. E. R. Boucher, S. A. Andrew, R. Kirkup, P. C. Lewis, J. Stevenson, R. Tappenden and J. C. F. Faine. In addition to the Fuss, four of the club's Moths will make the trip. The instructor has entered for the aerobatics and landing competitions for B licence pilots, and in addition ho will give a special demonstration of stunting. Mr. Allan's inverted flying and the fearsome upward roll which he keeps for special occasions should interest the Wanganui spectators. Tho first contest for the Cyril CoryWright Memorial trophy, which had been arranged for last Saturday, had to be postponed, as the late Mr. C. Cory-Wright's mother and brothers, who donated the trophy, were unable to be present at such short notice. Two competitions were held over the week-end, however, and both were won by Mr. S. A. Andrew. The first was a combined bombing and landing competition, in which piiots were required to drop a bomb in tho circle and then land in the circle if possible, while tho second event, which took placo on Sunday, consisted of a parachute dropping contest. Good entries were received for both competitions. Improvements at Aerodrome.

For jomo time past it had been considered that the tarmac outside the hangar should be laid in some permanent material, as the surface becomes decidedly unpleasant in wet weather, when it is fine clouds of clay dust are blown into the hangar. It has been decided to hold a "working bee"' to concrete the area, and members will be advised of the date later.

As a result of tho pilots' and pupils' dance, held at the clubhouse a fortnight ago, a largo number cif additional books were acquired for the club's library, 'lhe books donated by the Auckland Automobile Association, and selected by Mr. C. G. Grey, editor of "The Aeroplane," have also come to hand, and form a valuable addition to the reading matter available at the clubhouse.

The first tennis tournament for tho Robertson Cup will be held on the club s courts to-day and to-morrow. Good entries have been received for the tournament, which will take the form of men's singles. The winner will hold the cup, while the runner-up will be given a free flight with 9 Mr. Allan. The gliding section resumed flying_ last Sunday, when some 17 satisfactory flights were made, although conditions were not perfect. It is hoped to have the Hawk in commission again shortly. The next general meeting of the section will be held on March 22 at tho clubrooms. The following new members have, been elected Pupil, Mr. F. B. Board; associate, Messrs. A. Manson, W. G. N. Hutchison and E. Rowe. Mr. W. J. McLeod has transferred from associate to pupil membership. SEGRAVE TROPHY AWARDED. Aviators all over the world will applaud the award of the Segrave trophy, established in memory of one of the greatest of Britain's speed kings, to SquadronLeader Hinkler for his marvellous flight of 10,500 miles in 104 flying hours from NewYork to London by way of the South Atlantic Ocean. His exploit was weighed in the balance against the claims of three world s record breakers during 1931—Stainforth in the air at 407£ miles an hour, Campbell on land at 246. and Kaye Don on the water at 110. All Ihree rank as outstanding achievements, far surpassing earlier records, and to decide between them was extremely difficult. The terms of reference state that the trophy should go to the British subject who had accomplished, m the period under review, the finest demonstration of " the possibilities of transport by land, air or Kvater," and here may be glimpsed the reason for grading a long distance journey above speed records over a short course. Already Hinkler's great adventure has received universal acclamation as tho chief long-distance flight of last year. His transatlantic crossing set three new records in aviation, and overestimation of the courage and determination of the pilot is well-nigh impossible. When Hinkler began from Port Natal, in Brazil, the ocean flight which ended near Bathurst, West Africa, twenty-two hours later, he knew that no light aeroplane had ever flown a similar distance non-stop. Further, he knew that an engine of the type fitted to his Puss Moth monoplane had not previously run continuously in flight forth? period essential in a flight of 2000 miles. Aeroplane and motor stuck nobly to the task, driving through terrible storms that tested for hours on end tho strength of the machine and the stout heart of the power unit. They justified Hinkler's faith, but his high courage m making tho attempt should not bo overlooked on that account.

NEW HIGH-SPEED FIGHTER. Terrific speeds in the upper air, three, four and five miles above sea-level, are credited to the new all-metal Vickers' " Jockey" single-sealer interceptor fighter, which recently underwent renewed trials from * Brooklands aerodrome. Carrying ono man and two automatic guns, this new machine moves at 238 miles an hour in the rarefied air found between 13,000 and 20,000 ft. up. Its ceiling is 36.000 ft., or "71300 ft. above the summit of the world's highest mountain, and it can climb to 20,000 ft. in less than 11 minutes. Every detail of the structure is made of metal, oven to the duralumin wing coverings. Power is derived from a single Bristol " Mercurv " supercharged 530 h.p. engine, which delivers full power at a height of 15,800 ft. above sea-level. Round the engine is fitted a resistance-reducing Townend ring, while behind it ths fuselage is s! ;iped to secure harmony of outline and tile maximum streamlining effect. Apart from (he essential grooves for the guns and one or two minor details the whole machine is as " clean " as a Schneider racer. The pilot sits in an open cockpit, equipped with oxygen breathing apparatus for his excursions to the great heights, and warmed by radiators connected with the powerful engine. Disposition of flying controls and instruments is arranged for his utmost comfort, a point of vast importance in a successful war machine. _ The trend towards supercharged engines in British fighting aeroplanes has had interesting results in modifying performance. For example, the new Vickers craft moves at its fastest far above tho earth. At sea-level the maximum speed in ordinary conditions is 182 m.p.h., as against 238 miles an lrour reached high up. r lhe interceptor fighter is a chaser_ or pursuit plane. It must be able to climb rapidly to its operational height, and once there, it must be able to overhaul enemy aircraft as speedily as possible. Hence the insistence on best performance at height, and the inevitable employment of supercharged motors which, incidentally, constitute a class of aero power units that have approached nearer to perfection in Great Britain than in any other country.;