IN THE AIR

Southland Times, Issue 18970, 18 June 1923, Page 5

IN THE AIR

GREAT FRENCH ACTIVITY. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright). (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, June 15. The Daily Chronicle aeronautical correspondent says that a great aerial scheme will shortly be submitted to the French Parliament whereby the naval air service will be increased frem the present few squadrons to 1,500 naval aircraft, with two I great air bases at Dunkirk and Cherbourg; while by 1925 the military planes in commission will number 2,000, with reserves of 5,000 more. FRENCH HELICOPTER. NINE MINUTES’ FLIGHT. PARIS, June 15. (Received June 17, 5.5 p.m.) The French inventor, Oemichen, made three flights in his helicopter, carrying two passengers. The longest flight lasted nine minutes and the maximum height reached was five metres, and the minimum two metres. The machine is now regarded as capable of completing a circular kilometre. FLYING CARS. NEW AERIAL WONDER LONDON, June 15. (Received June 17, 5.5 p.m.). The Daily Chronicle’s aeronautical correspondent says that tiny cars, with wings capable of whirling the owner and driver at a speed of an express train, with only as much power as required by a motorcycle, have reached such a practical stage that numbers of orders are being booked. It will be possible to house them in ordinary motor garages, or even as an expert suggests, in a chicken run. Motor garage proprietors will be asked to provide smooth surfaced landing fields, marked, so as to be seen from above. TINY MONOPLANE. REMARKABLE EFFICIENCY AT LOW COST. LONDON, June 16. (Received June 17, 5.5 p.m.) A tiny monoplane named “The Wren,” fitted with a three-horse power engine attained a speed of fifty-three miles an hour during the Air Ministry’s test at Lytham, Lancashire, and also climbed to an altitude of 2350 feet, a record for this class of machine. Although it was in the air 80 minutes less than a gallon of petrol worth two shillings was consumed. FREE STATE PURCHASE. LONDON, June"’i(r~ (Received June 17, 5.5 p.m.) The Morning Post, under the heading, “What For?” says that the Irish Free State Government has ordered eight Caproni battleplanes, two of which have been delivered.