A GREAT RECORD.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19100, 10 November 1933, Page 11

A GREAT RECORD.

DE HAVILLAND VICTORIES. TRIUMPH FOR BRITISH POWER. (From a Correspondent.) LONDON, Oct. 3. When the same kind of engine has won an important national air race for five consecutive years the achievement calls for particular notice. This year again the de Havllland Company provided the power-plant, a “Gipsy Major” 130-h.p. motor, In the ’plane which won the Coupe Zenith at an average speed of 137 miles an hour, over the 080 miles of the “round France" circuit. The series of de Havilland victories began in 1929, when Mr H. S. Broad, the company’s chief test pilot, won the race in a "Gipsy Moth" light biplane at an average speed of 112 m.p.h. Mr E. Bret, a well-known French sporting flyer, orossed the line first In 1930 and 1931, at the controls of his own "Gipsy' Moth." In 1932, Mr Detroyat, test and acrobatic flyer, was victorious in a "Puss Moth” monoplane powered with a “Gipsy III." engine. This year’s vlotor.is Mr E. Finat, who was accompanied by a mechanic in a new Frenoh monoplane equipped with the "Gipsy Major" unit. Third place was taken by a machine

which derives power from a French motor very similar to the “Gipsy Major,” but with greater cylindrical capacity and higher compression. In spite of these two Important advantages the French-powered craft could only average 125 m.p.h.—twelve miles an hour less than its British-powered rival. Probably the “Gipsy Major” unit possesses that little something which the French engine has not gotl