NEW ALTITUDE RECORD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19134, 1 October 1936, Page 5

NEW ALTITUDE RECORD

BRITISH PILOT’S FEAT UPPER AIR RESEARCH MESSAGE FROM THE KING (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 10 a.in. RUGBY, Sept, 29. The successful attempt made on the altitude record by a Royal Air Force experimental high altitude aircraft which, piloted by Squadron-Leader Swayne, reached a height of 49,967 ft., beating the world record of 48,698 ft., was observed by official representatives of the Royal Aero Club and the height attained was officially communicated to the Air Ministry by the club. The height was arrived at from the examination by the National Physical Laboratory of sealed barometrographs, which were carried in the wings of the aeroplane. The figures are subject to the usual confirmation and acceptance by the Federation, Acronautique Internationale, to which application will be made for homologation of the record.

This is tlie first occasion on which the Royal Air Force attempted to beat the altitude record. High praise is due fo tlie pilot and tlie constructors of the aircraft and its engine and special equipment, all of which are of British design and manufacture. The aeroplane and engine were constructed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company to the order of the Air Ministry given in 1934 with a view to tlie exploratiofi of special problems involved in the operation of aircraft and the functioning of aircraft equipment and instruments at extreme altitudes, and this important work will he pursued in due course. With further experience, it is hoped that still greater heights may he attained bv this new aircraft.

The King, from Balmoral, sent a message of congratulations to Squad-ron-Leader Swain on his “fine achievement in breaking the altitude record with all-British equipment.”