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Aviation History
1934
1934 - 0339.PDF
FLIGHT, APRIL 5, 1934 described above would, for a start, suffice for the South American service. Uping this type of ship, the cost of a one-way trip would be about 125,000 marks (£10 000) Receipts of 75,000 marks from passengers, 40,000 marks from mail, at least 20,000 marks from high-grade freight and excess baggage could be counted on, which would total about £11,000. This would mean a profit of about £40.000 a year. The capital required would be about 7,000,000 marks, or £550,000, for each dirigible. Using four crude oil engines of about 900 h.p. each, the airships would have a speed of about 80 m.p.h. Helium would be used instead of hydrogen to minimise the lire risk. Dr. Eckener was not a little disappointed that the capitai required for the construction of airships and " harbours " had not been forthcoming. He could not, he said, easily imagine it possible for a long time yet, to build aeroplanes capable of transporting any considerable load in regular service over the North Atlantic. The airship, he main- tained, would always be more comfortable and offers more luxurious travel than the aeroplane. On Tuesday, March 27, Dr. Eckener was the guest of honour at a luncheon given by the All People's Association at Claridge's Hotel. Dr. Eckener left London on the follow- ing day for Friedrichshafen. Pope's interest in Everest flight WE recorded last week that Col. Etherton, of the Houston Mount Everest Expedition, who is at present making a lecture tour in Europe, was to be received by the Pope. On Sunday, March 25, Col. Etherton was received in private audience. The Pope displayed a wide knowledge of the work of the expedition, and recalled his own mountaineering experiences on Monte Rosa and Mont Blanc. He mentioned that he had watched some of the earlier flights made by Maurice Farman, and looked for- ward to the day when aircraft would be able to take off and land in a more restricted space, when it might be possible for the Vatican to have its own airport. The Pope accepted a copy of the book " First Over Everest." In giving Col. Etherton a medal commemorating the open- ing of the Holy Door in St. Peter's, the Pope sent his blessing to all members of the expedition. Nobile commands Soviet dirigibles UNDER the command of General Nobile, leader of the ill-fated Polar expedition, three Soviet dirigibles have arrived at Sebastopol to take part in the manoeuvres of the Soviet Black Sea fleet. After the manoeuvres, it is expected that they will fly to the Far East. The Florinne helicopter OK Thursday, March 22, at Rhode St. Genese, Bel- gium, the Florinne helicopter was demonstrated before members of the State Aerodynamical Laboratory. Two very successful demonstration flights were made. Among the numerous celebrities of the aviation world who were present were Col. Daumerie, the Belgian Director of Civil Aviation, and M. A. Galopin, of the Ministry of Trans- port. The helicopter ascended very smoothly at a sur- prising speed, and having reached a height of about 100 ft., performed some remarkable forward and backward move- ments. The descent was made at a very low speed and the landing was surprisingly gentle. Soon the machine is to be taken to Everlez for a new series of experimental flights. News from the Stratosphere RESULTS obtained during the flight of the Soviet " stratostat " U.S.S.R. have been published by the Geodesic Observatory at Leningrad. At an altitude of 18 500 m. the air contains 20.95 per cent, of oxygen. The nitrogen content and the quantity of inert gases also differ little from the composition of the air near the surface of the earth. The intensity of the cosmic rays rises con- siderably with altitude. At an altitude of 7.56 miles (12,16 km.) the maximum temperature is minus 57 deg. and the lowest pressure is equal to 51 mm. The Geodesic Observatory is now planning the details of the stratosphere flight to be attempted this year, and is producing instru- ments considerably more efficient than those used on previous attempts. It has been decided to extend the pro- gramme of observations, which will include the pressure of the electric field and the conductivity of the atmosphere. The pressure of solar, etc., radiation will also be investi- gated. A second test of the new envelope of one of the balloons of the " automatic stratostat," designed by the Air Institute of Leningrad, was made some days ago. When filled with 3 kg. of hydrogen the envelope had a diameter of 6.56 ft. (2 m.)- A radio apparatus, was FOR THE " SKYBIRD LEAGUE " RALLY : These cups and the solid silver replicas are offered for the winner and runner-up in the competition for Scale Model Aircraft now being held in connection with the First Annual " Skybird League " at Hamleys, Regent Street, until April 14. attached. Information regarding the temperature, pressure and moisture of the air was transmitted on a wave length of 25 m. Simultaneous observations were made from theodolites at two different points. One hour after leaving the ground the balloon had reached the stratosphere. At an altitude of 26,900 ft. (8 200 m.) the temperature fell sharply. The temperature at 61,024 ft. (18 600 m.), where the balloon reached its maximum altitude and burst, was 55 deg. The scientific apparatus descended by parachute, dropping, it was supposed, either in Finland or Lake Ladoga. The quality of the envelope has yet to be improved, but it is thought that with two or three balloons of this kind the stratostat will reach an altitude of 25 to •SO km. Round the Isle of Wight Race WE understand that Portsmouth, Southsea and Isle of Wight Aviation, Ltd., are proposing to run the " Round the Isle of Wight Air Race " again this year on July 21. In connection with this race Mr. Alexander Duckham is giving a very handsome challenge trophy for " B " licensed pilots. This trophy will take the form of a large cigar box on top of which, appropriately enough, as this is the 25th anniversary of that great event, a replica of the memorial erected by Mr. Alexander Duckham on the Dover Cliffs to commemorate the safe arrival of M. Bleriot after his first crossing of the Channel. A replica of the trophy will be given to the winning pilot each year. Fokker acquires Lockheed licence DURING his recent visit to the U.S.A., Anthony Fokker acquired, besides the licence for the Douglas D.C.I. " Airliner," the constructional rights for the Lockheed " Electra." The latter aircraft was described in FLIGHT for January 25, 1934. It is stated that during test flights the machine attained a top speed of 221 m.p.h. at 5,000 ft., which is at least 5 m.p.h. in advance of estimates. As the result of minor modifications which are at present being made, it is expected that the speed will be raised still further. We were somewhat surprised recently when we saw a set of drawings prepared by the Fokker com- pany, of the Douglas D.C.I, converted into a military type. Bombs, torpedo and four machine guns are shown. Mussolini receives Mr. Plesman MR. PLESMAN, General Manager of the K.L.M. com- pany, has been received by H.E. Sig. Mussolini, who, it must be remembered, is now the Italian Minister f<pr Air. Questions concerning civil air navigation were discussed. Brooklands on race days IT should be noted that Brooklands Aerodrome is^ out of bounds to visiting pilots on race meeting days between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. They will, however, always be welcome before and after those times. Should they arrive before 1 p.m. permission to leave during the afternoon will be granted on application to the Control. ......... 339
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