HOME-MADE PLANE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17126, 5 December 1929, Page 4

HOME-MADE PLANE

WHAKATANE YOUTH’S FEAT (Special to the Herald.) WHAKATANE, this day. An aeroplane which has been built by John Allison, a young motor mechanic, of Whakatane, has yet to be tested in the air, and it will fake about another month td put the finishing touches to the machine, but even now it looks a very workmanlike production. ,It is credit to the skill, energy, concentration and enthusiasm ofVthe builder and his young assistant, Victor Allen. The machine is a single-seater monoplane with a two-cylinder Lawrence engine of 28 horse-power. Its weight, unloaded, is 3301 b., and when carrying a full weight, including benzine and a pilot, it will be 6201-b., The length of the machine is 20ft., and the wing spread 28ft., the width of the wing being sft. The wings are detachable. The propeller has a measurement of Gft. 6in. Over the framework of the wings is a covering of light, strong cotton material which has yet to be covered with aluminium paint which will impart strength and tend to tighten the material. All the gear necessary has been-put in position, including an air compass, air speed indicator, altitude indicator, bank and turn indicator, oil gauges, ammeters, ignition switch and control throttle, and spark controls. Much patience has had to be exercised by the builder, as he has had to wait on occasions to get many minor parts from abroad. He started work about 11 months ago, and the work necessarily had to bo done slowly, but he has now the satisfaction of seeing the long job nearing . completion. Allison has been passed as medically'' fit, and funds are being raised locally to send him to Auckland to qualify as a pilot before testing out his machine.