“AERIAL ASHES”

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17607, 24 October 1931, Page 2

“AERIAL ASHES”

MR. BUTLER’S ATTACK AUSTRALIA IF EIGHT DAYS SPECIALLY DESIGNED PLANE (British Official Wireless.) Rec. 10 a.m. RUGBY, Oct. 2,1. In an attempt to break the EnglandAustralia record of .10 days 1 hours held by Pilot. 0. W. A. Scott, an Englishman, Pilot C. A. Butler, of Cootunrandra, New South Wales, will leave England to-morrow. He says he is confident that his “Comper-Swift” plane powered with a “Pobjoy” engine will enable him to better Seott's time,, and he expects to take under eight days to reach Darwin. His projected route will be .as follows: Athens, Bagdad, Karachi, Rangoon, Singapore, Koepang- Port DarWin.

Pilot Butler is regarded in Australian aviation circles as a pilot of unquestioned ability, and his chances of breaking the record with his high speed plane are considered to be very favorable. He is one of the most experienced younger pilots in the Commonwealth, having flown extensively, and with his aeronautical engineering qualifications he is particularly well equipped to attempt a long distance flight. Before taking up aviation he was the chief engineer at Hay, New South Wales, for Australian Aerial Services, find lie holds the highest qualifications issued by the Civil Aviation Department.

The “Comper-Swift” plane and the “Pobjoy” engine are new’ departures in British aeronautical design. The machine is :l single motor monoplanfe, having excellent comfort and vision, which renders it most suitable for long cross country work. It has a low landing speed of 30 to 35 miles per hour. Because of its manoeuvreahility round turning points it is particularly suitable for racing. The pilot's cockpit places the pilot aft of the monoplane wings in the forward deck of the fuselage which runs into the top surface of the wing and is so placed that the pilot can see every point in the field of vision by a slight inclination of his head. Altimeter and air-speed indicators are placet! directly behind the rear spar on cheli side of the fuselage.

The engine develops 75 brake h.p. at 3000 r.p.m. with a 5.01 compression ratio, normal air screw speed 1400 r.p.m. The engine is robust in construction and weighs only ISOlbs., with hand starter full dual ignition and air The overall diameter of the motor is 25Jin. The low weight is entirely due to the small size and bulk of the engine and the high power is obtained by running the engine at the high speed of 3000 r.p.m., driving the air screw shaft through a simple reduction gear. In spite of its speed of revolution the engine shows a considerable degree of reliability and durability. The fuel consumption is approximately .571bs per brake h.p. per hour with an oil consumption of .023 pints per brake h.p. per hour.