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Aviation History
1923
1923 - 0422.PDF
JULY 26, 1923 Germany abroad, where no supervision can be main- tained, it would have been possible to know exactly what German designers are doing. The two schools are well represented, the all-metal by the Junkers and Dornier machines, and the all- wood by the Caspars, while the Udet and Stahlwerk machines are representative of the composite type. If the Albatros commercial monoplane arrives, it will probably be found to belong to the all-wood class. The British machines are mainly of composite con- struction, as most of our constructors have not yet got to the all-metal stage. The British firms which have particularly devoted their attention to all-metal work, i.e., Short Brothers of Rochester and Boulton and Paul of Norwich, are represented by photographs only. Most of the British machines exhibited are, however, built to a very considerable extent of metal, and the tendency towards the substitution of metal for wood is quite noticeable. The French -section is disappointing, at any rate that part which comprises complete machines. The only type that can be said to represent modern ideas in aerodynamic and structural design is the Breguet " Sesquiplan," which has, however, already been described in FLIGHT at the time when it was exhibited in Paris. Fokker's exhibit is interesting, and the fact that he is not showing experiments but machines which have flown and are being built in considerable quantities entitle the Dutch machines to being treated earnestly. They are not over-original in conception, but are clean, straightforward designs, especially the D.XI, which is a cantilever biplane with a very small bottom wing. German influence is very noticeable in Swedish design, so much so that in the case of one machine one suspects that it may have been actually built in Germany and put together in Sweden. Incidentally the fact that Swedish machines are now only constructed in government factories—the Thulin private works having closed down-with the death of Herr Thulin— provides a parallel to the state of affairs that obtained in this country in the evil days when all British military machines were produced at the Royal Aircraft Factory " by the best brains in the country." It is probably owing to " know-alls" in Swedish government factories that all Swedish machines are fitted with rudders that are several sizes too small for them, and it seems likely that had private enter- prise been consulted such shortcomings would not have been permitted to continue, even after several accidents resulting in spins from which the pilots could not extricate their machines. However, this is a matter that concerns Sweden primarily. At the same time, everybody is concerned to see gallant pilots wasted from causes which should be obvious to anyone having any knowledge of aircraft design, and, moreover, accidents, in whatever place on the globe they may occur, cannot but help do a certain amount of injury to the cause of the air. HowAmerica Does It concerned. What is going to happen with regard to the Schneider Cup Race ? The outlook at the moment is certainly not very rosy as far as England's hopes are At the present time the industry is still suffering from past neglect by the powers that be— or were—and it is scarcely to be expected that manufacturers are able to build machines and compete at their own expense. The only encouragement which the British Government offers is, if it results in a British victory, to take over the winning machine at the " bargain " price of £3,000. This niggardly and parsimonious attitude contrasts strangely with the enterprise of the United States authorities. They are sending over four machines, with four of their best pilots, and, after a period of trial and testing extending over a month or more, they will select from them the team of three to represent, the United States. There are still two months before the actual contest . takes place, and we hope that every one who has the least influence will exercise it in the direction of seeing that we are adequately represented in the race, and that the Government grant all possible facilities and encouragement. Surely it should be worth while for the Government to do something substantial to assist manufacturers to engage in upholding the honour of England—especially when trade follows the honour. Twice the Schneider. Cup has been brought to England by the enterprise and sporting enthusiasm of British manufacturers, but it is not reasonable to suppose that * that state of affairs can continue for ever, especially when the opposition is such as that which has now been organised by the U.S. Government. The first time it was lost mainly through the position of the industiy brought about by the utter lack of orders. We hope that before it is too late steps will be taken to ensure that everything possible is done to keep the Schneider Trophy in England now that it is here. Another outstanding precedent should certainly be found in the 100,000 francs offered only last week by the French Government to any of their nationals who bring back the speed and height records to France. - ., at the , . GOTHENBURG INTERNATIONAL AERO EXHIBITION. "FLIGHT" is on sale at the Gothenburg Aero Exhibition at "THE DAILY TELEGRAPH" KIOSK, in Main Entrance, 422
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