WEATHER TOO COLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26233, 17 August 1946, Page 7

WEATHER TOO COLD

METEOR’S SPEED TEST - POSTPONEMENT NECESSARY RESULT ALMOST CERTAIN, (From A. W. Mitchell, N.2J.P.A Special Correspondent) R.A.F. Station, TANGMERE, Aug. 15. Flying at about 100 ft, Group Captain E. M. Donaldson, commanding officer of the R.A.F. high-speed development flight, flashed over the stution here this morning in a practice run. He. was using an “old” Meteor IV to test flying conditions before deciding whether to take up the new “ Star ” Meteor and make an official attempt to establish a fresh record. At that height the Meteor sounded like an express train. It was over the airfield and behind the hangar in the time it takes to make a quick turn of the head. When Group Captain Donaldson landed he said conditions were too cold— : it was 19deg centigrade—and too bumpy for any further flying today. In the bumps his aircraft registered between plus six G and minus three G—that is to say at intervals his body was six times heavier than normal, or three times lighter. Attempt at Earliest Opportunity It was stated that it is unlikely that the record attempt will be made this week, as there appears little possibility of the weather improving sufficiently. Ideal conditions would be a temperature of 30deg centigrade with no wind or clouds. But as all three are unlikely to occur simultaneously it ispossible that Group Captain Donaldson will attempt a speed of 1000 kilometres an hour, or 625 miles an hour, at the first suitable opportunity. Squadron Leader W. A. Waterton may then wait for warmer weather, since it is estimated that the Meteor will be five miles an hour faster at 30deg, and attempt to raise the record to over 630 miles an hour. But it is not thought that the figure will be much above that, since it is nearihg the peak of the Meteor’s performance. That Group Captain Donaldson will establish a record of 625, miles an hour seems a foregone conclusion, since he was one mile an hour faster yesterday in the test at 300 ft. Conditions were too bumpy to allow him to fly Iclver in the Star, otherwise he might Irave raised his figure. Watching Group Captain Donaldson to-day was Group Captain G. E. Wattof, of Auckland, who was well satisfied with the performance of the Rolls-Royce Derwent jet engines. “ They work perfectly,” he said, “ and in some respects exceed our expectations. The trials were done on a bench to clear a temperature of 740 deg centigrade. Yesterday Group Captain Donaldson got maximum power with a temperature of 710 deg., so -we had plenty in hand.” Tremendous Power Some idea of the power of these engines can be gathered from - the fact v that at full throttle they “ suck in ” air at the rate of two tons and a-half a minute and expell it at a speed of 1000 miles an hour. The pilots have many problems, one of which is to turn at speed under 1100 feet—the maximum height they are allowed to fly by international regulations when attempting to establish a speed record. The controls become heavy and great concentration is required. One mental hazard is seagulls. So far they are mostly seen on the water, and as a rule they do not hear the Meteor’s approach. Every time a Meteor has made a flight it has been wiped clean of the blood splotches of insects, which sometimes chip the paint off the aircraft’s highly-polished skin. Group Captain Donaldson has a brother, Donald Donaldson, “ somewhere in New Zealand.” “Our family has not heard from him for years. We would very much like him to get in touch with us,” he said.