Progress in Germany: Our German Correspondent sends details of the Junkers “0.1” Type Diesel Engine and also The Figures of the Government Vote for Aeronautics

THE science of aviation with mechanically propelled aeroplanes which has only been in existence a few years has now reached a fresh turning point in its development. Ever since the Wright brothers carried out their first experiments up to the present day, the only fuel used in aeroplane engines has been a light explosive in the form of benzine or some similar rapid burning product which is highly inflammable and very uneconomical on account of the large quantities which have to be consumed. This was rendered necessary by the fact that the overall dimensions of the earlier aeroplanes were relatively small, so that the installation of heavy engines was impossible, because the load would have been so great that the aeroplane would have been unable to rise from the ground. It is not at all surprising, therefore, that designers and builders in all countries have for many years been trying to replace the light fuel engine which is both dangerous and uneconomical by a heavy oil engine which is more economical and cheaper to run. But, until quite recently, all these efforts have been unavailing. A few weeks ago Prof. Hugo Junkers of Dessau succeeded in bringing out a heavy oil engine which was submitted to practical trials in the air, and proved that the experiments hitherto carried out are now definitely approaching a state of realisation.