AIR MARVELS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2143, 28 December 1920, Page 11

AIR MARVELS.

BRITAIN'S BIG LEAD.

CONTROLLING 'PLANE BY WIRELESS.

The progress seen in the science of aviation since the days of the first success of the Wright brothers looks like only a warming-up process in view of the air navigation possibilities of the future, as revealed in connection with the London Air Conference, which Mr Churchill, Secretary of. State for War and Air, called the Air Parliament. Here are a few of the aerial developments under experiment or in prospect (writes the special correspondent of the New York "Herald") : Airplanes with central enginerooms to which pilots would signal orders as aboard ships. Steam turbines for airplanes. Automatic control. Engines or propellers in wings. All-metal airplanes. Airplanes equipped to land- on small space, enabling the tactical movement of troops in war time. A mooring airplane masthead, which has already been proved satisfactory, one now being built in the Howden plant. The mechanical disposal of fog, thus clearing the way for flying, and, finally, A pilotless-airplane controlled by wireless. Revelations are Amazing. Air Vice-Marshal E. L. Ellington, director-general of supply and research of the Air Ministry, drew aside the veil hiding British Government efforts in air navigation. His recital which followed amazed even the most optimistic students of aviation possibilities. He told of airplanes which were being designed with two engines in the fuselage, driving two propellers in the wings, with control of the engine in the hands of an engineman who receives his signals from a pilot. Also he told of a flying machine now under construction with wings so designed that they would contain engines within them. It was even hinted that Diesel engines would be used in this connection for economy In fuel.

Ground indicators are being developed to enable landing in fog or in darkness of night, "one of these indicators consisting of an arm under the fuselage which touches the ground and which moves the controls, causing the flying machine to flatten out. Already a number of successful landings have been made by this means. Two of the most important developments fcfr increasing the safety of passengers and pilots are for the prevention of fires and in the provision of parachutes. It is intended to equip the Royal Air Flying Corps airplanes with parachutes. It was revealed that the secret experiments made during the War in connection with a manless airplane were still being carried on, and that tests were being made witb the idea that airplanes might be constructed to carry torpedoes . that might, be released against battleships, and also used to ram other airplanes in flight. A thousand little points were revealed, showing that the activity of the British in connection with the development of aerial science was far ahead of that of any other country.