NEW MONOPLANE

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19675, 7 September 1935, Page 21 (Supplement)

NEW MONOPLANE

CAMPBELL BLACK’S MACHINE. first Trial successful. First flights have been made at Hatfield aerodrome of the new modified Comet ordered by Mr T. Campbell Black, co-pilot with Mr C. W. A. Scott of the machine that won the EnglandAustral,a air race, lor a series of fast flights over some of the world’s chief present and future air routes. The flist lest of flic new machine hi’the air was successful, and Mr Black may begin his new 'adventures, next month. High up oh llio list of flights which he is manning are u flight across the Noith Atlantic Ocean to Canada and back, an attempt on the .'England-Cape TownHngland record and a. flight from England to Hong Kong. He has also under consideration a record-breaking attempt on the England-South America run. ■ . , , His machine embodies several improvements and refinements, based on experience gained in building the three Comets that were entered for the Engkuid-Auslvaliu races, it is designcd lo cruise at a speed ol’ at least 220 m.p.h., aL a height of 10,000 feet above sea-level. . Its range on one fuel load in still air will be 2750 lo 3000 miles. All of* Mr Campbell Black’s plans concern flights which will be basically useful. He will attempt, to set new records, which will add to the prestige of British aircraft, especially v where such records are held by foreign aeroplanes, and thus to “fly the British air ensign” Into new markets. He will continue the demonstration of the astonishing speed of mail communication made possible by use of modern British aircraft which attracted worldwide attention in the course of the races to Australia. LOCAL JOTTINGS.

ACTIVITIES AT RUAKURA. With the weather rather more favourable this week there was a good jdeal more activity at the Waikato Airport, Rukuhia. The instructor, Flight Lieutenant W. H. Lett, Is away on a week’s vacation and no dual lessons will bo conducted this week-end. On Sunday afternoon there was a fair bit of flying by club pilots. Dr. Hockin In A.A.T. as leader, Dr. Mary Douglas in A.C.K. and Mr R. Charlton In A.G.’G. again practiced formation flying on Sunday. 'On Monday Mr T. Mullan flew H.K.-A.G.'C. to Mangere to attend a meeting of the Auckland Aero Club committee. He returned on Tuesday morning. On Wednesday one o.f the

new Vickers Vildebeest machines piloted by Flight Lieutenant Buckley with Wing Commander Wilks and Flight Lieutenant Gibson as passengers landed at Rukuhia. After inspecting the Airport the parly returned to Auckland. On Wednesday afternoon Mr MeGaffin of Palmerston North in his own Avro Avian landed at Rukuhia 'from Te Teko, Whakatane. lie was accompanied toy a passenger and they .flew on to Mangere on Thursday. They called at the Waikato Airport again on Friday on their way back to Palmerston North from Auckland. The wooden moth at Te Rapa, Z.K.A.a.T. is at present undergoing a complete overhaul by the ground engineer Mr T. Sheehan. The 'Overhaul will be completed early next week.