AEROPLANES AT THE COUNTER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16466, 19 June 1919, Page 7

AEROPLANES AT THE COUNTER.

IREFUL BUILDS IN STOCKS AT ■ LONDON STORES.

“Aeroplanes? Certainly, sir. Aeroplanes, forward, please,” Harrods (London), says the Daily News, hare an aeroplane department and a flying boat department, and anyone requiring a nice two-seater monoplane at £450, the cheapest in the country, can bo accommodated. The flying boat, which costs £ISOO, ia already in stock, and on© may inspect a good assortment of flight costumes. It’s not an exhibition, but & real commercial proposition, to sell aeroplanes over the counter, as it were. Harrods will not only sell you an aeroplane, but wil teach yon to become an efficient pilot, and fit you out for the work. The monoplane is a two-seater of BlaokburnTnanufacture. “It has been designed,” said an official, “with, the object of providing a safe machine of stout construction at a reasonable price. It embodies all the accepted features of strength, stability, soundness of construction, and ease of control. The factor of safety is equal . to, and in some cases superior to, that obtained on fighting and service machines. Wo can deliver only ton. the first month. The machines cost no more to keep up than a 20-h.p. motor car.” Tho monoplane is 20ft, 6in, long, with a height of 6ft. Sin. and a span of 27ft. Sin.— Small enough to land on Piccadilly or Oxford Street. The engine is a 45-h.p. 2-cyldnder Gnat, of the A.B.C. or aircooled type.. ft is mounted in the nose of the fuselage and the petrol tank is under tho seat. The engine can be started from the cockpit, and the control is by two joy-sticks and a rudder bar; and the machine can be flown long distances without muscular fatigue. It can also be directed with the hands and feet off the control for long periods. Control cables and fittings are duplicated in accordance with Admiralty practice. With two people and 561 b of luggage a speed of 83 miles

can be attained, and a four hour’s supply of petrol is carried. The “Norman Thompson” flying boat has side-by-side seats for two and a little cabin with triplex glass windows, to be opened or closed at pleasure. There is no need for flying costumes, and one may ascend in a top hat and morning coat if desired. Thp machine has dual control; its length is 27ft. 4in., height 10ft, Bin., and span 48ft. 4in.,' with a weight of 30001 b. It carries petrol and oil for two and a-half hours, and a third passenger may be taken if the fuel is reduced by half. Its minimum speed is 40 knots and its maximum 72.