MODELS OF AEROPLANES

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1930, Page 3

MODELS OF AEROPLANES

PROGRESS OF FLYING SHOWN. DISPLAY IN OTAGO MUSEUM. Three artistically-arranged cases of models, which represent the progress made in aviation since the date of the first aeroplane flight up to the present time, stand near the main entrance of the Otago Museum. The 10 models, which show highly-skilled craftsmanship on the part of the maker, Mr. W. R. H. Duke, have been constructed on a scale of one inch to the foot and in every detail they are wonderfully accurate. The centre case contains three prewar machines, each of them possessing great significance in the history of the conquest of the air. First there is a miniature copy of the machine in which Wilbur and Orville Wright, at Dayton, Ohio, in 1903, made the first successful mechanical flight. - The Bleriot monoplane, which was flown by its owner across the English Channel iff July, 1909, shows some of the characteristics of the modern type. Then there is the Caudron biplane, a French machine, which, piloted by Mr. J. Scotland, made a short flight ’from Tahuna Park in February, 1912, being the first aeroplane to be seen in the air in Dunedin. Previous to that, however, it had flopn from Invercargill to Gore. - Another display case contains four models of planes which played a very important part in the period of the Great War. Coming to more modern times, there may be seen a de Havilland Moth, the 1926 model of which was the means of .introducing the latest designs in light two-seaters. The autogiro, a machine which, having the power to descend almost vertically, caused a stir in the flying world, is also to be seen.

A faithful replica of the 1930 Puss Moth monoplane discloses the modern trend in the provision of a comfortable cabin for the pilot and passengers. Altogether, it is a very attractive and instructive collection of models.