MOTORDOM

Southland Times, Issue 21193, 20 September 1930, Page 16

MOTORDOM

OF GENERAL INTEREST. A world’s speed record for two-seater light aeroplanes weighing up to 800 lb. was recently made by a “D 18 type machine fitted with a 100-110 h.p. Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major engine. A distance of 62.5 miles was covered at a speed of 134.3 m.p.h.

■ An improved form of the “Pterodactyl” or tail-less aeroplane designed by Capt. G. I. R. Hill, is now being manufactured at the Westland Aircraft. Works Yeovil. It is expected that the first machine will shortly be completed. It is of the cabin monoplane type and will be able to seat three people.

It is rumoured that a new airship is to be constructed by. the British Government. This will be named the RlO2 and will have a capacity of 7,000,000 cubic feet. It is also believed that a new all-metal airship is to ibe constructed in America for the United States’Army. This vessel is expected to have a little more than one half the displacement of the RlO2 the actual figure of its capacity being given as 3,758,300 cubic feet.

The fur-traders and trappers of northern Canada have quickly been convinced of the superiority of the aeroplane for winter transport, and wherever possible the dog team has now been abandoned. The Western Canada Airways Co. Ltd., and Commercial Airways Ltd., the two companies operating in these regions report havingcarried great quantities of furs from the Mackenzie River trading posts.

The England-India air mail and passenger service is now operating through Central Europe and on an accelerated timetable. The route is by the way of Cologne, Nuretnburg, Vienna, Budapest, and Belgrade to Salonika. From the last named city the mails are forwarded by flying boat to Athens, where the route joins the original one to- Alexandria. All aircraft operating on the mailplane route are now of the triple-engined type, and with them India is reached in seven days and Egypt in three.

Interesting facts are available in the recently issued Automobile Statistical Report of the National Chamber of Commerce of New York. According to this authority there are to-day 7,800,000 miles of highways in the world. In U.S.A., over 24 per cent of the drivers are women, but they are only in 6 per cent, of the motor accidents. AU told, there are 34,876,837 motor vehicles in the world of which 76 per cent, or 26,501,443 are running in the United States. England (excluding Scotland and Wales), up to the end of 1929, had registered 1,242,839 automobiles, Canada had 1,168,188.

The growth in the tyre manufacturing business can be gauged by the expansion of the Goodyear Company during the last 30 years. The company started with one small factory, making carriage tyres, in 1898 at Akron.. Since that time, the Goodyear organization has grown in units and now has factories all over the world. There are two factories at Akron; one in Los Angeles, Calif., one in England, one in Australia, and two in Canada and one under construction in South America. There are textiles mills where the Supertwist. cotton fabric is made at Goodyear, Conn.; New Bedford; Los Angeles; Cedartown, and St. Hyacinths. In addition, there is the Goodyear rubber j lantation of 50,000 acres acres at Sumatra, in the Dutch East Indies; a coal mine in Ohio and a cotton plantation in Arizona.

In America motor trucks and buses are reported by Mr F. McManamy, Chairman of the U.S.A. Interstate Commerce Commission, to be helping the railways, so far as net profits are concerned, and the railroad companies are not losing net revenue from the competition of motor trucks and buses. Appreciating the fact that under certain conditions, the automotive transport of passengers and goods gives better service to the community, the privately owned American railroad companies have in many instances linked up the two systems of transport under their respective ownership and control. These facts strongly bear out the contention of all those who favour the more progressive form of transport. on New Zealand roads, where the conditions result in 'better service than the railways can offer.

When the late J. B. Dunlop in 1888 invented the first practical Dunlop pneumatic tyre so that his son would be able to enjoy more comfortable cycling, he had no idea that the day would come when a pneumatic tyre would be made in such giant sizes of such a weight that no average man would be able to lift the tyre. Yet to-day the Dunlop Company is making pneumatic cord covers for heavy truck work that weigh 15411bs each, whilst the tube for this cover alone weighs 16-llbs. or a total of 1711 b. for the complete tyre. It is interesting to note that .it takes over 320 of the lightest complete tyre that Dunlop makes —a path racing cycle tyre weighing SJozs. —to equal the weight of one of these giant truck tyres.

After practically every great achievement in the automobile world, one hears the old query raised “Is it Worth While?” by those who do not realize that progress and greater efficiency is only possible, by pioneering work. It is only 31 years agosince the world famous motor raring continental driver, M. Jcnatzy, put up the world's record speed of 41 miles an hour, and then as now. there were those who claimed that such speed demonstrations were unnecessary and dangerous, and no one in his right senses would wish to travel at such a speed. To-day there are thousands of N.Z. motorists who travel at 40 miles per hour as a touring speed when out on the open road, and they are just as safe as were the motorists who 30 years back were satisfied with 15 m.p.h.

A “gold valour medal, commemorating the trans-Atlantic flight, was presented to Wing-Commander Kingsford Smith by Mr Eben Griffiths on behalf of the Vacuum Oil Company, before a distinguished gathering at the Advertising Club of New York.- Mr Griffiths said that it was a happy privilege for the Vacuum Oil Company, who had been associated with aviation since the days of Wright and Bleriot —to present these medals to such noted airmen. WingCommand Kingsford Smith was then presented with the medal ‘‘For the will to conquer, the courage to date, _ and the skill to achieve, and for extending man’s dominion over the elements.” Captain Saul Van Dyk and J. W. Stannage were also presented with bronze medals. Mr E. Murphy, president of the Club, welcomed the flyers, and Sir Charles Higham, on behalf of Great Britain, and Mr H. C. Cornforth, on behalf of the Vacuum Oil Company Pty. Ltd., also extended welcomes. Mr H. C. Cornforth said that it was a privilege on behalf of Australians, to congratulate Kingsford Smith and his gallant companions. ‘‘lt is edifying,” said Mr Cornforth, “to know that we can, in Australia, produce men of character who can go out and pioneer in the interests of science and progress. 1 '

Although it must be obvious to the public that most of our popular ears can only be produced at very low prices because of standardization, yet one constantly hears stories of how individual owners demand certain colour schemes and will be content with no other. One day recently a lady entered the showrooms of a Triumph dealer, produced a vanity case in one shade of green and a cigarette lighter in another and said she would place an order for a saloon if it could be finished in these colours, the main area of the body in the deeper shade, the waistline and wheels in the lighter. Although the Triumph people are now the fourth largest producers of motor cars in Great Britain they were able to comply with this extraordinary request. Who now can say that the British manufacturer does not adapt himself to the requirements of his markets? It is a far. cry from the day when one large-scale maker, in conference with his dealers when they were demanding "What’s the matter? The public can have a greater variety of body colours, said, my cars in any colour they like, provided it’s a shade of black!”

The “quartorze juillet”—July 14—is celebrated as a festival in France, in commemoration of the successful attack on the Bastille, the notorious Paris gaol, by the revolutionaries in 1789. The white currant and white raspberry, though every bit as delicately flavoured as the red, have gone out of fashion, and are almost unsaleable,

HAPPENINGS IN THE MOTOR

WORLD.

AERO ENGINES. OLYMPIA MOTOR SHOW.. ROAD v. RAIL TRANSPORT. The announcement that Sir William Morris and the Riley car manufacturers are turning their atention to the production of aero engines does not come as a surprise, for these two firms being among the most progressive in the land were as a matter of course expected to enter the field of the light aeroplane, the machine that is destined to fill the same place in the lives of the people as the motor-car.

It. was pleasing to read the cable message announcing that the British manufacturers are unanimously optimistic about trade prospects during the coming Olympia Motor Show. The news coming as it does at a time when producers have been speaking in a pessimistic tone is all the more refreshing, and shows that the general public will still buy the fascinating new models, even though the newspapers talk of depressing conditions at home and abroad. It will be interesting to hear of the actual motor cars exhibited. Many new body designs and methods of engine construction are expected so that from the point of view of the exhibits alone the show should prove to be one of the most important yet held. All classes of buyers are also to be .catered for so that the 1931 motor car as exhibited at the International Motor Show will represent the best proposition offered to the public since the days of the inception of the petrol engine. The intelligence that as a result of motor competition 50 branch lines on the British railways have been forced to close down, was received by many as an indication that the great railway companies of Great Britain were at last feeling the effect of the serious competition the motor car offered, and that it would be only a matter of a short while before the splendid roads of the Old Land would have running on them motor vehicles carrying all passengers and goods that formerly were transported by the railways. Such is not the case however, for on long distance journeys the railway is still supreme and the comfortable, fast, safe service offered will not be surpassed by road or air transport for very many years to come.

But of course with the small branch services conditions are very different and, knowing this, giant strides have been made by the various railway companies in investing in motor-vehicles to carry passengers and goods. The Southern Railway Co. has invested durin gthe last fiscal year over £1,038,000 in this direction. A progressive road transport policy has also been adopted by the London Midland and Scottish Railway Co. which has an interest in automobile companies that, control fleets of over 5,000 motor vehicles. So while the railway companies know that road transport can never seriously compete with them on the long distance runs they have not been slow to realize that this is not so on the small branch lines, and have obtained interests in automobile road services accordingly.

THE CAR OF TO-MORROW.

A LASTING MACHINE.

IMPROVEMENT IN METALS. Science is helping manufacturers to make a motor-car that will never wear out. Several notable advances made recently in metallurgy open up an encouraging prospect for owners of modest means who have to make their cars last until there Is positively not another mile to be obtained from them. A. British firm claims to have perfected a steel that is so hard that it is impossible to scratch it with the finest file. An experimental crankshaft for a four-cylinder engine was made and fitted to a British car. The engine was treated in the harshest manner possible, and denied the proper amount of oil until one of the connecting rods seized solid to the crankshaft. After the bearing had been freed it was found impossible to detect by the most delicate measuring instruments the slightest sign of wear after 10,000 miles running. A new steel for lining the cylinder walls is stated to be so hard that the amount of wear after many thousands of miles is undetectable. It takes an extremely high polish, so that there is great economy in lubricating oil, and a notable reduction in loss of power through friction. There is also a new aluminium alloy, nearly as strong as steel and even lighter than aluminium. Great secrecy has been maintained about its composition, but it is known to have many valuable properties of strength and recovery from “fatigue” that will enable,manufacturers to use it for parts for which steel has hitherto been the only suitable metal, thus lightening the load and consequently the wear on vulnerable bearings.

A large number of British cars are using a bearing that never needs lubricating, and for which it is claimed that it will last practically for ever. With these advances, it should be possible to make roller and ball-bearings that will never need renewing, and an engine should never need attention except for adjustments and decarbonising. With the general use of stainless steel and chromium plating, the only items that should need renewing in the car of the future should be the tyres and upholstery’.

SOUTHLAND MOTOR CYCLE CLUB. FIXTURES. September 22—Executive meeting. September 28—Opening run to Otaptri stream. S' October .27—Labour Day event. November 15 —Oreti Beach. November 39 —Club run. December 14—Oreti Beach. INCREASING MEMBERSHIP. The enthusiasm ■of the annual meeting gave a clear indication that the season which is just commencing should prove as successful as the last, if it does not go further still and eclipse all previous years. The reduced subscription of 7/6 brought into' force when the new rules were passed at the annual meeting, is resulting in a steady increase in membership, and the total number is already over 200. It should be every member’s aim to reach 300 by the close of the season. The subscription for members under 18 is 5/- and the same rate applies for lady members. A very large attendance of riders is expected at the opening run, including many who regularly come from long distances to take part in this event. COIL AND MAGNETO IGNITION. RELATIVE ADVANTAGES. SOME INTERESTING FACTS. It is extremely interesting to, note that motor-car manufacturers are introducing components which were discarded years ago, but in an improved form. A considerable amount of attention is being devoted at the present, time to the type of gear-box in which the gear wheels are in constant, mesh. A gear-box of this description, fitted with helical gears, makes for a more silent and easier change. This trend of affairs is further evidenced by the increasing employment of coil ignition. This system was almost entirely superseded by the hightension magneto. There is much to be said in favour ot both coil and magneto ignition; each suffers from certain disadvantages. The former is being adopted chiefly because all cars are now electrically lighted so the necessary current is available, and it is less expensive to install. Coil Ignition. The arrangement of coil ignition is very simple. The coil consists of a primary and a secondary winding of an insulated core—the core is made up of a bundle of laminations or soft iron wires—and the condenser, both of which are stationary. The distributor and cam are mounted on the same shaft and are driven at half engine speed. The contact-breaker is stationary. One end of the battery is connected to the junction of the primary and secondary windings; the other end is connected to the movable portion of the contact-breaker. The switch is located between the battery and the coil. When the car is running the _ charge switch is generally kept in the “on” position, so that the battery is continually on charge. The consumption of current varies from 0.5 to 2 amperes. The distributor leads all have the same upolarity direct current. Spark Strength. A peculiar feature of coil ignition Is that when the speed is low the current attains a higher value than when the speed is high, owing to the contacts remaining closed for a longer period. At very low speeds, as when starting-up, a stronger spark is produced than when the engine is “revving”'normally. This is a high desirable characteristic, but it must be remembered in this connection that with a partially discharged battery and with the startihgmotor in operation, the superiority of the spark is not so pronounced. Actual test shows that, with a half-charged battery and the starting-motor in action, the maxi-' mum energy is only half that with a fully charged battery and hand starting. Further, many modern magnetos compete favourably with the coil at low speeds, while at high speeds the magneto, the voltage of which rises as the speed increases, gives better ignition than the coil. The coil system of ignition is cheaper to manufacture, because less precision work is necessary and its construction is simpler, but it suffers from the disadvantage that it depends upon the dynamo and the battery for its functioning, while the multiplicity of parts concerned must be accounted a drawback. Both dynamo and bat],cry arc liable to breakdowns, a rather remote possibility, but not by any means unknown, and an enforce;! stoppage results. The High-Tension Magneto. The main advantage of the magneto over the coil system ot ignition is that this instrument is self-contained. It is reliable to a degree and, as it is not dependent upon any other component, it seldom gives rise to trouble. The magneto is an alternating current generator, and the primary current is produced by the electromotive force induced in the primary coil. A permanent magnet provides the magnetic field. No battery is required to energise the primary or to produce the magnetic field. The secondary winding, condenser, distributor and , contact-breaker arc incorporated, in the instrument. Important improvements have, been made in magnet steels. The modern magneto may be confidently expected Io retain its magnetism indefinitely, provided no accident, happens. The only likely ac.icdent. is a fault in the wiring or switchboard which allows current to flow through the primary winding from the battery. Even if the rotor be removed the magnetism can be retained if soft iron kepers bo used to bridge the magnet before dismantling, and these ’be left in position until the rotor has been replaced. In the event of an accident which results in loss of the magnetism, appliances are available for remagnetizing rapidly and cheaply without removing any part of the machine. Three types of magneto are in use at the present time. These are the revolvingarmature, the revolving-magnet and the polar-inductor types. The revolving-arma-ture is the oldest, type. The armature windings, condenser and c.ontae.t-breaker revolve; the magnet is stationary. This is essentially a two-spark magneto, and is well suited to four-cylinder and slowspeed six-cylinder engines: Other Magneto Types.

In the second type, the magnet revolves, while the windings, condenser and contactbreaker remain stationary. This construction possesses many advantages from a mechanical point of view, but a stronger magnetic field is provided when the magnet” is stationary. The revolving-magnet magneto is suitable for high-speed engines. In the polar-inductor magneto the magnet, armature windings, condenser and contact breaker are stationary, the field reversals being produced by revolving soft iron polar projections. This type possesses numerous advantages, not the least being its greater reliability, but. it is more expensive and heavier. It gives a good spark at low speeds,.owing to the rapid rise of the secondary voltage.—G. Hill in the White Line.