AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22321, 20 January 1936, Page 11

AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION

THE GEODETIC SYSTEM MOST IMPORTANT ADVANCE British Wireless EUGBY. Jin. 17 Air experts consider the system of geodetic construction embodied in the new Viokers Welleslev bomber, which was on show at the Hendon display last year, may mark one of the most important recent advances in aircraft constructional methods. The system, which promises as great advantages in civil as in military use, was invented by Mr. B. N. Wallia, the designer of the airship RIOO, and it is a development of the methods used in building that airship. The system permits great weight reductions to be made in the wings and the fuselage without loss of strength, and an increase of the span of the wings relative to the depth, giving greater efficiency. The result is a substantial gain in performance. Another advantage isi the absence of internal members from the wings, allowing the free disposal of space for petrol tanks, cargo or even — as the inventor visualises as a possibility for the future with a very large machine —passenger cabins. The Vickers Wellesley medium bomber monoplane is in production in considerable numbers for the Royal Air Force. If it could be loaded only with fuel, the Wellesley could fly 6000 miles non-stop in still air.