NEW BRITISH MONOPLANE

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17877, 25 November 1929, Page 7

NEW BRITISH MONOPLANE

SECRET TESTS. GIVE GOOD RESULTS. It is understood (says a London paper) that a new type of light cabin aeroplane is to be produced In the near future by one of the leading British light aircraft companies. An experimental machine has already been built and has just been put through its preliminary tests at one of the London aerodromes. These tests have proved extremely satisfactory, and the machine, a high wing, twoseater cabin monoplane, powered by a 100 horse-power engine, has put up an exceptionally good performance, which has surprised even its designer. The utmost secrecy is being maintained by the manufacturers with regard to the machine, and they will make no statement as t'o their plans. “It is much too early to say anything definite yet about possible new craft to be included in our programme for next year," was the only statement an official of the company would make.. The experimental model is still undergoing searching tests, and It has already been tried out against a wellknown standard light aeroplane built by the same company. The performance In this test is said to be very gratifying. ' The monoplane is designed on somewhat similar lines to the de Havilland “Hawk” Moth, which was one of the first medium-sized monoplanes to be produced in this country. It is hoped that this latest machine will sell at a price of £GOO or £7OO. If the company concerned put this machine into production it will be yet another example of how British manufacturers are fighting against the competition offered by the United Slates and Germany. Three years ago the cabin monoplane was almost unknown —so far as manufacturers were concerned —in Britain; but now several firms are producing this type of craft. The cabin machine has been aptly likened to the saloon car of the air, and it undoubtedly obviates the present unsociable conditions of the open cockpit type of machine, where the pilot sits .directly behind the passenger and can only converse through telephones.