FAMILY AEROPLANES

Southland Times, Issue 20642, 14 November 1928, Page 10

FAMILY AEROPLANES

ONE MACHINE A WEEK. New aeroplanes to be turned out at the rate of one a week, and this in Australia, where to-day aeroplane production is nil! However, if circumstances warrant it Australian Aerial Services, which now conducts so successfully many aerial lines within the Commonwealth, will be prepared next year to enter upon mass production of an all-metal monoplane to be designed in Australia.

The director of the firm (Mr. J. H. Larkin) stated the other day that the drawings for the new plane were not quite completed. Except for the engine, wheels, and instruments, the plane will be totally de* signed and made in Australia. A start has been made with the manufacture of the first machine, which would be ready for tests next February. It would be known as the Lascoter, and if the tests were satisfactory coter, and if the tests were satisfactory the company would proceed with the manufacture of additional machines. If the company was able to undertake mass production the cost of each machine would be considerably reduced.

The Lascoter type has been evolved specially to suit Australian conditions by the chief engineer, Mr. W. S. Shackleton, who was the chief designer for Beardmores, the well-known English firm which built the largest all-metal monoplane in the world, the Inflexible. Each rib of Lascoter’s main plane will weigh only 15 ounces, and by way of a test nine men, weighing 1295. pounds stood on two of the completed ribs, which easily sustained the weight. The ribs are to be built of spruce and birch ply, held together by brass nails. The new plane will be a four-seater or “family” plane —the aerial proto type of the five-seater family motor car. It is primarily designed for the private owner in Australia. More than 1000 drawings were made to guide the workmen, and the preliminary work is not yet completed. Before the designers are finished four draughtsmen will have worked for six months on them. One expert designer is on his way from England now to supervize the fininshing details.