AVIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20318, 28 January 1928, Page 11

AVIATION

NAPIER RACING ENGINE. SECRECY ABOUT DETAILS LIFTED. (British Official Wireless.) (Press Association—By Telegraph—Oopyrlgah ' RUGBY, January 26. The secrecy which has hitherto been maintained regarding the details of the Napier racing aero engine that won the Schneider Trophy, and which ja fitted in a monoplane with which Captain Malcolm Campbell will attempt to break the land speed record, was lifted yesterday. An interesting feature of the engine is that it is the smallest and the lightest for its power in existence. It weighs 8501 b, and gives 575 horse-power. While the machines which took part in last year’s race are on the Air Ministry’s open list, only a part of the publication is permitted regarding the details of the new all-metal monoplane, which is the lai-gest ever built in this country, and is known as the “ Beardinore-Rolls-Royce inflexible.” It has exceptionally large space, and is fitted with three Rolls-Royce-Condor engines, each of 650 horsepower, one in the nose and the other two placed on each wing. Its landing wheels have a diameter greater than its height. FAMOUS AVIATOR IMPRISONED. FLYING TOO LOW. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright., WASHINGTON, January 26. A message from Naugatucu (Connecticut) states that Bert Acosta, the famous transatlantic aviator, who accompanied Commander Byrd to Paris, was sentenced to five days in gaol when convicted of violating the State law against low flying.—A. and N.Z. Cable. LEAP FROM AN AEROPLANE. FIRST ATTEMPT itf SYDNEY. SYDNEY, January 27. (Received Jan. 27. at 11.30 p.m.) Sixty thousand "people attended the Domain to watch Lieutenant Haakon Oviller leap from an aeroplane by means of a parachute He landed in a tree unhurt. This is the first time that such a feat has been attempted in Sydney. CRASH IN ITALY. BRILLIANT AVIATOR KILLED. ROME, January 26. (Received Jan. 27, at 5.5 p.m.) Nardini, a brilliant war time aviator, has been killed. A defect developed in his machine when he was flying at 3000 ft, and he crashed. Nardini leapt off with a parachute when at a height of 150 ft, but it failed to open.—A. and N.Z. Cable.