A big drogue, which is like a parachute, is attached to one end of the cord, the other end of which has already been attached to the hose nozzle. The cord is run over a pulley and the drogue is let out behind the machine, The air stream fills it and tugs it back, the cord runs over the pulley, and in comes the hose, The nozzle is attached and petrol is then pumped from one machine to the other at the rate of 80 to 100 gallons a minute. After the filling has been completed the machines fly gradually further and further apart, and when the tension on the hose has increased to a certain point an automatic release is operated and the hose draws the cord back over the pulley. Towards the end of the cord, an automatic cutter comes into operation and the drogue drops to the ground. The hose is then reeled back into the tanker machine by a motor.
This is an entirely new method of refuelling, and different from the relatively primitive methods seen at previous air displays. I was told by one of the pilots who had been engaged on the experiment that the refuelling by this means could be done in bumpy weather as quickly as in calm weather, and that they had only once experienced trouble. On this Occasion the small steadying drogue on the end of the hose folded up and the hose whipped round the fuselage of the machine, The pilot, however, landed safely, Prices from January 20
Coal for Fire-Grate and Kitchen.—
Special House Coal (Dah Doong) House Coal No. 1 (Dah Doong) House Coal No. 2 4
House Coal No, 3
Shanse Soft (Good for Kitchen)
Special Quality Kitchen Coal All deliveries in Metric ton 2,204.6 Ib.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.