A WELLINGTON AEROPLANE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2532, 19 June 1909, Page 2

A WELLINGTON AEROPLANE.

MODEL TRIALS. Just now, when so much is heard about aeronautics on the Continent and in America, it is of interest to hear of the progress of -a Wellington syndicate, in the construction of -an aeroplane. Recently it came to the ears of the “Dominion” that a’ Wellington syndicate or association of inventors wap building an aeroplane. Inqiiiry proved that there was something in the rumor. It appears that the inventors are Messrs W. Forrester, P. Ellis, Baldwin, and Rayward, and Mr H. D. Vickery is also associated with them. Mr Baldwin, when interviewed on the subject, said: “Yes, we have been working on an aeroplane for a good many months past—ourselves, Mr William Forrester, and Mr. Peter Ellis. Ae the times go, it is the sort of thing that any journal must be interested in, and we were the more interested because we- had reason to think from the. start that, we were on to a rather good thing. If you like to come along to-morrow, you shall see the trial of the model.” The buoyancy of the machine was extreme, its rigidity surprising. It was only in its general motion that it suggested any resemblance to what we have seen of the Wright machines. The great Wright bi-planes are of the boxkite type, and, in the case of any such huge structure, it has been contended that there must always be difficulty in rising from the ground. The completed machine these Wellington, inventors are working on, fitted to lift and carry one man in -flight, will consist of a single plane, some 16ft. by Bft., below which the rider, or aviator, is suspended like the hob of a pendulum.

HIGH-SPEED PROPELLERS WITH LIFTING ACTION.

The thing that strikes one most, is the comparative smallness of the monoplane, which contrasts so notably with the great surfaces, of the big biplanes. The inventors, it seems, rely more on the high velocity of the propellers than on the spread of plane-surface. Mainly, the purpose of the plane in this new machine is to expedite alighting. The propellers work on the level of the plane, but are driven from below. The shaft is so placed as to be always parallel with the plane. The propellers are at each end, the blades peculiarly shaped so as to give a lifting -action to lift the machine and maintain its elevation in -flight. The cage, suspended from the shaft, lies well below both shaft and plane. It carries the motor and the aviator. The machine will ho fitted with a 20-li.p. motor, the connecting driving-gear being a bevel-toothed gearing shaft running from the engine to the propellershaft. i,

PROPELLERS AND VERTICAL CONTROL.

The. vertical control will be gained by altering the angle of the propellers, and the side movements by means of small vertical planes acting as rudders: both movements controlled by levers from the- cage. Judging from the trial of the model, it would seem that' these inventors, really have accomplished much. The machine rises from the ground with great ease, needing no propulsion from an eminence or long preliminary fun. hying to the position of the cage, the centre of gravity of the machine and its load is in such a position as to preserve the. equilibrium under all conditions. “IN ALL WEATHERS.” It is claimed that this aeroplane can -ascend in any weather in perfect safety. In the construction of the model, the inventors were faced with one. difficulty —no motofi powerful enough of the small dimensions necessary, was obtainable. Consequently, pending construction of the full-sized machine, impetus had to he gained by the release of a winding cord, on the principle by which a top is spun. The little model rose immediately, and seemed to more than justify its makers’ hopes and expectations. ' , . . - Mr Rayward and lus partners aie very hopeful. “Wc have what some, or most, of the other aeroplane people have, not,” he, said; “we have assured equilibrium and rigidity. The possibility of capsize is reduced to an absolute minimum. So long as the engine runs, the machine must fly, and there is sufficient plane-surface, to make descent easy and safe when the engine is stopped.'