AID TO AVIATION

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1930, Page 11

AID TO AVIATION

AUSTRALIAN’S DEVICE? London, July 30. ,“I want the Wragg compound wing for aeroplanes to be recognised as an Australian invention, and to retain its identity,” said Mr. C. A. Wragg, of Melbourne, to an interviewer. “At present I am trying to arrange for trials' by the Air Ministry. The Italian Government is very keen. It has paid my expenses for a visit to Italy, and has made a license agreement, whereby a royalty will be paid on each of these devices fitted to Italian machines. “The invention, however, will lose its identity when applied to Italy under this agreement.” The Wragg compound wing was invented by Mr. A. C. Wragg, a former resident of Melbourne. It comprises a small wing to fit to the training wing of an aeroplane, and by its uso it creates a drag which makes landing easier, and is also useful for taking off, in that it shortens the distance of the taxi run. It was originally designed', for amphibian machines, for which it was claimed that it would not be affected by water. Tho Shirosky Company of America tried out several'aeroplanes equipped with the invention, and reported that it was a great success. The invention was brought before the notice of tho authorities of the Royal, Air Force ,ip .1926, when it was‘thbi'bn'glily' exainiiied, and a report prepared, but* Britain apparently did nothing fiirtlicr; ! tvith‘Htjrr<.i'iq V v- . „