The Aviation World.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21165, 23 April 1932, Page 5 (Supplement)

The Aviation World.

AUCKLAND AERO CLUB NEWS.

BY AILERON.

One of the most brilliant exhibitions of crazy flying ever seen in New Zealand was given Ly Flight-Lieutenant D. M. Allan, the Auckland Aero Club's instructor, at the display at Alexandra Park, Epsom, last Saturday afternoon. The idea of having a skilful pilot dressed as an eccentric old gentleman who contended that ho could fly by theory, is not a new one, having been put into practice by Flight-Lieu-tenant Atcheiiey at the national air races in the United States, last year. The scheme, however, was a novelty as far as New Zealand was concerned, and caused much amusement.

Tho plan had been kept a close secret, and few of the spectators realised that tho argumentative old gentleman picturesquely arrayed was Flight-Lieutenant Allan. The eccentric pilot commenced by hanging his umbrella on the control wires, and then laboriously climbed into the wrong cockpit, having dropped a large bundle of papers he was carrying. He started off with a rush, heading straight for tho fence, but stopped in time and was persuaded to try tho other cockpit were there was a full set of controls. The subsequent exhibition of crazy flying, and the landing with one wing almost touching the ground, was very realistic, and proved one of the most exciting exhibitions of the afternoon. The car bombing was another very popular event, in which Flight-Lieutenant D. M. Allan excelled himself. Apart from scoring several direct hits, lie dropped one or two bombs among the officials, one landing in a car, to the discomfort of the occupants and the huge delight of everybody else. Activities ol Pilots. A display similar to the two held'at Epsom has been arranged to take placo at To Rapa aerodrome to-day. FlightLieutenant Allan will take tho Puss Moth, with Mr. L. W. Swan, secretary of tho club, as passenger, while Mr. E. R. Boucher, the club captain, will fly the orange Moth from Auckland. SquadronLeader M. C. McGregor and Pilot Officer J. Eraser will travel in the Spartan, and will take part in the display. Fewer items will be given than was the case at Epsom, as it is proposed to carry out a number of passenger flights during the afternoon. The value of the modern light aeroplane was amply illustrated at Muriwai Beach early this week, when Flight-Lieutonarit Allan was called upon to assist in bringing ashore one end of a cable from the cable-ship Recorder. He visited the beach on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, making several trips from the shore to tho ship on each day. The line which the machine was to carry out was carefully arranged on the beach, and one end was attached to the tail-skid of the machine by means of a piece of lighter line which would break when any great strain was imposed on it. 1 he difficult task was finally accomplished <">n Tuesday, after the pilot had been at the beach for over seven hours. The Auckland Aero Club has decided to affiliate with the New Zealand Club, subject to certain reservations, details of which have yet to be finalised. Instruction at Te Aroha.

A decision to undertake instruction at Te Aroha, for the benefit of four Auckland club pupils who live in the vicinity has been reached by the committee. It is hoped that once instruction has been commenced,.other local enthusiasts will avail themselves of the opportunity of learning to fly without coming to one of the club centres. A suitable field has been obtained, but the surface is rough in places, and a number of holes will have to be filled before the ground is suitable for instruction. The members have been advised by the secretary to make application to the Director of Air Services, Squadron-Leader T. LI. Wilkes, for an aerodrome licence for the paddock. As soon as the preliminary arrangements are finalised, the instructor will visit Te Aroha every Thursday morning to give the instruction, and also to make flights with any passengers offering. Pupils taking instruction at Te Aroha will be charged at a higher rate than those who learn at the club's aerodrome, but the total cost of the course should rot exceed the amount of their learning ?ees at Auckland and the travelling and other expenses that a course at Mangere would involve. A dance for members will be held in the club-house this evening, when it is expected that there will be a large attendance. The following new members have been elected: Pupil: Mr. T. A. Carroll,- Te Aroha; Associate; Mrs. Z. K. Badham and Messrs. Pi. Davidson and H. S. East gate.

ALL-METAL MACHINES. The march toward metal construction of aeroplanes, in \vhich the British aircraft industry has played a chief part, is evident in the statement that in 1932 firstline units of the Royal Air Force will be wholly equipped with machines either of all-metal structure or composite of metal and wood. " Wood is now employed only for the wings and tail units of a very small number of the older types and for certain small components," the memorandum states. " Experience is showing that aircraft of metal construction undoubtedly have a longer life than tho?e of wood, and, in consequence, considerable economies in maintenance costs are being effected." EXHIBITION AT ATHENS. The history of the British contribution to aeronautical science from 1809 up to the present day is told in a fascinating collection of exact-scale models and magnificent pictures which was sent to the British section in the Zappion Palace, Athens, where there is at present in progress the first international aero exhibition ever organised in Greece. With the help of the Air Ministry, the British aircraft industry prepared a display which ranks as the. most informative exhibit ever staged outside England. Housed in two of the larger and more important rooms in the Zappion, the British stands and models cover altogether nearly seven thousand square fleet of floor area, and enable the visitor to survey in a few minutes the astounding development of the flying machine from the first, curious, but strikingly prophetic, machines projected early last, century by Sir George Cayley to the latest types of high performance military and civil aeroplanes of to-day. The enterprise is unusual. British constructors are supporting the exhibition because of their profound belief that the future of aviation depends 011 the right education of the public. The Greek authorities envisaged the exhibition solely as means of encouraging " air-niinded-nqss " among the general public. It is not a trade show, and the getting of business is much less than a secondary consideration. No full-sizo military aircraft aro shown, and models were preferred to actual civil machines. Instructive diagrams, sectioned engines, with pa"''; of the structure cut away to show th.» irangemont. of important components, wi.iuitig models, and clear photographs arc the principal exhibits. The twentytwo British firms which are taking part in the exhibition, manufacturers, and users of aircraft, aero engines, and accessory equipment, spared 110 pains in planning and building the stands. Beautifully constructed scale models, worth up "to fifty pounds and nioro apiece, were carefully crated and sent to Athens. Among the machines that are illustrated in model or drawing are all kinds of military aircraft, fighters, night and day bombers, reconnaissance craft, tlving boats, and seaplanes, and the latest types of British giant passengercarrying planes and 1 it; 111 aeroplanes. The display is rounded off by examples of the multifarious accessories that are employed in one branch or another of aviation. Those cm view in the Zappion include oxygon breathing apparatus for use when flying in the rarefied air of the great heights, wading suits, ingenious chambers for the testing of instruments, safety harness, dinghies for seaplanes, nil kinds of navigational apparatus, wheel brakes, sparking plugs, magnetos, and many other details which play a part 111 the efficient working of tlie modern British aeroplane and aero engine.