DR. MAWSON’S AEROPLANE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3257, 30 June 1911, Page 3

DR. MAWSON’S AEROPLANE.

— —— PILOT'S PLANS FOR ANTARCTIC FLYING. Lieutenant Hugh E. Watkins, of the Essex Regiment, the officer-airman who is to pilot the monoplane which Dr Douglas Mawson has decided to take with him in liis expedition to the Antaijctie, described fiis: plans ■.recently. Lieutenant Watkins learned to fly in a Ho ward-Wright biplane at Brocklands and holds the Royal Aero Club certificate of proficiency. “It is practically certain,” he said, “that tho machine we shall take with us will be an R.E.P. monoplane. It was, in the first instance, a Frenchbuilt aeroplane, the designer being M. Robert Esnault-Pclterie. Latterly Messrs Vickers, the famous engineer- j mg firm, have acquired the rights to f manufacture these monoplanes in Eng- / Laud. { “This machine has been chosen large- f ly on account of its portability. The { wings can be attached to the body m ten minutes. Its engine has a large reserve of power, and the control of the machine is simple. We shall take the monoplane to a quiet flying ground near London which belongs to Messrs. Vickers, and prepare it for Antarctic w-ork. “A special screen will be made to protect the pilot and liis passenger from the cold. Adjustments of the carburetter and fuel tanks will be necessary to prevent the perol freezing. It is probable that the present landing chassis of the machine—two wheels and a. central skid —will be altered in order to facilitate rising and descending upon snow. “So far as we have at present outlined the uses of the aeroplane, it will be employed for survey work and also in connection with tho journey to the Magnetic Pole. I believe that the monoplane will be of the utmost value. An observer will he able to make rough maps while flying. It is hoped that the macliine will he able to fly lou miles without a stop.”