TRIAL FLIGHTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25345, 29 October 1945, Page 5

TRIAL FLIGHTS

SPEED RECORD PLANE OVER 450 MILES AN HOUR (Reed. 0.30 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 27 Piloting "Britannia," one of the Gloster Meteor Mark IV. jet planes to be used in the attempt on the world's air speed record, Group Captain Wilson made four low-alti-tude trial runs over the Heme Bay, Kent, course. It is understood that the average speed was 450 miles an hour. It is officially stated the attempt on the world speed record by the Gloster Meteors is not likely to take place "for eight or nine days." The question has been raised of the risks involved in attempt., and this is an indication of the difficulties of setting records under international regulations. Stringent Regulations To do 600 miles an hour as a snap speed at height is one thing, but to do it under stringent international regulations at a height of under 250 ft and over a three-kilometre course in alternate directions is another. It is known that the pilots will take considerable risks. But it is agreed bj most people that the risks are worth facing. What is important is that the speed set will be unchallengeable. . ' "We must eventually get above the speed of sound, and this is a step in that direction," said Air Marshal A. W. Coryton, controller of research development for the .Ministry of Aircraft Production, in discussing the forthcoming attempt on the record. Referring to public anxiety regarding the danger of attacking the existing record, Air Marshal Coryton said there was little justification for anxiety because, before embarking on the attempt, the best expert advice would be taken, including that of the two pilots concerned. The risk was merely that of going into the unknown. Value of Records "We are trying to add something like 120 to l.'ib miles an hour to the existing record, and by advancing in sufficiently small steps there is no more risk than is taken daily by a development test pilot," he said. "Records count for more than anything else. They provide facts and solid achievement which nobody is able to deny. From the viewpoint of the export trade and the British aircraft industry every record obtains an advantage for Britain." A New York message says that the Curtiss-Wright Corporation announced that it has developed several special flying devices which will achieve speeds of more than 1400 miles an hour — almost twice the speed of sound.

Dr C. C. Furnas, the research director, said military requirements prevented him from giving any details about the devices, but they were not rockets and not artillery shells. "At present," he said, "the devices are not carrying pilots, but we are working on this. We think the value of this development will largely be military. Such speeds are too fast for commercial use."