BATTLES IN THE AIR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 6 (Supplement)

BATTLES IN THE AIR

DISLIKE FOR AEROPLANES INSECTS TO BE FEARED Even in peace time air pilots are never free from the danger of being involved in a duel three or four thousand feet above the ground. And their foes are not other pilots, but birds. Some birds have an intense dislike for aeroplanes, and at this season, with young in their nests, they have no hesitation in showing their dislike in a violent' way. Eagles in particular resent the presence of airmen above their haunts, and at times attack them with ferocity, caring nothing for their own safety. Not long ago a pilot was crossing the Pyrenees, flying with utmost serenity. But suddenly an eagle appeared, circled round and round the plane, and then made a beeline for his head. _ Only by a skilful manoeuvre was the pilot able to avert a disaster. As it was, the eagle bashed one wing of the plane so badly that he was forced to land. 1' ew mountains' are more infested with eagles than the mountains of Greece, which, for this reason, are veritable danger spots for aeroplanes. Just two years ago a Greek airman was killed through being attacked by one of these kings of the sky. The eagle dropped from a tremendous height, struck the plane with such terrific lorce that it capsized and crashed. Nowadays, however, most of the pilots flying over these mountains take the precaution of arming themselves with Verey signal pistols, which are well calculated to keep the eagles at a safe distance. The vulture is another bird with scant respect for aeroplanes. A naturalist even suggested that this bird regards them as legitimate prey. At any rate, it was a vulture which nearly proved the end of Prince Bibesco when flying to Indo China. The carrion

eater assailed his machine so fiercely as to cause a fire on board, thereby injuiing all the occupants. But if birds are a danger to airmen, some insects are as much to he feared. Some time ago a pilot was set upon by an army of locusts while flying over the Sahara. The insects settled on the plane, and very soon got their '' teeth | into the canvas, eventually stripping it as though it were a tuft of grass. For curious duels in the air, however, it would be hard to beat one in which an R.A.F. officer took part a few years ag He had hardly got- his machine off the ground before a .swarm of bees ariived at the cockpit. He tried in vain to beat them off. Tne airman was forced to land —a much stung and irritable man.