BRITISH HELICOPTERS

Taranaki Daily News, 21 January 1935, Page 8

BRITISH HELICOPTERS

WONDERFUL MACHINES DESIGNED. AIR MINISTRY HOPEFUL. . London, January 8. Although there have been many experimental helicopters—machines which rise and descend vertically by the rotation of horizontal power-driven blades—they have not yet been highly successful, and aviation circles have become definitely interested at the announcement that the Air Ministry is very hopeful of success with the Asboth helicopter. A first machine is to be built by a newly-formed English company and one is now being made under the direction of the German Government. The construction will be identical to provide the greatest possible data for comparison and further investigation. To the layman the helicopter is simitar to the autogiro, but it can rise and descend, without any forward motion, by the rotors, which move on concentric axes in opposite directions. It is believed to be automatically stabilised, has no wings, flies at 110 miles an hour, and, what pleases the experts most of all, can be safely brought to earth without the engine. It is too early to know how far these forecasts will be fulfilled, but if they are realised the new machine will not only be most suitable for the novice, who wants to land literally in his back yard, but will provide a valuable addition for experiment for naval and military aviation.