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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0110.PDF
FEBRUARY 27, 1909. FLIGHT. 44, ST. MARTIN'S LANE. LONDON, W.C. Telegraphic address : Truditur, London. Telephone: 1828 Gerrard. SUBSCRIPTION RATES. FLIGHT will be forwarded, post free, to any tart of the world at the following rates: — UNITED KINGDOM. s. d. 1 8 3 3 6 b ABROAD. 3 Months, Post Free ... 6 ,, „ 12 3 Months, Post Free 6 >> i) 12 „ » Cheques and Post Office Orders should be made payable to the Proprietors of FLIGHT, 44, St. Martin's Lane, W.C., and crossed London and County Bank ; otherwise no responsibility will be accepted. Should any difficulty be experienced in procuring FLIGHT from local newsvendors, intending readers can obtain each issue direct from the Publishing Office, by forwarding remittance as above. NOTICE.—Advertisement instructions should reach theoffice, 44, St. Martin's Lane, W.C., by first post, Thursday. The latest time for receiving small alterations for Advertise-ments is 12 noon, Thursday. No alterations can be made after that hour. NOTICE.—Complaints continue to reach us of the difficulty experienced in obtaining copies of FLIGHT regularly in certain districts. We would therefore point out the desirability of placing a definite order with the local agent to supply a copy EVERY Saturday. COMMENCING with the present issue, we are reproducing at considerable length a very valuable paper which was read before the American Society of Mechanical Engi- neers, by Major G. O. Squier, of the U.S.A. Army Signal Corps. We call particular attention to it, lest it should in any way escape the notice of readers, merely because (as is customary in such cases) it is printed in smaller type by us. But for its great length, we might have felt tempted to give it even greater prominence in this respect in our columns, since it appears to us to supply a very real want which is now being felt by the majority of those who are taking a keen interest in aeronautics. Comprehensive in scope, simple and straightforward in expression, albeit backed up by the required mead of technical accuracy and treatment, Major Squier's paper fills the bill to a remarkable extent as a care- fully prepared retrospect—up to the time when it is easy for present day articles to take up the running—of past progress in matters relating to aviation. Primarily, the paper is written from a military standpoint; but that fact does not in the least detract from its general all-round1 interest. Its width of outlook is such that it includes salient data concerning most of the successful airships . and "fliers " which have heretofore been built, as well as frequent interpositions that deal in a most enlightened and broad-minded manner with the main principles which affect the construction and design of the various aerial craft that the author refers to. Its general tone is such that it constitutes a fascinating story, well calculated, to rivet the attention of the frankly merely curious; and this in spite of the substantial undercurrent of cold, hard, technical facts which forms the true I foundation of the paper. We have spoken of it as a retrospect of past doings; and, even if it were no more than that, it would be singularly welcome at this early stage of the flying era. But it is also an intelligent forecast of things to come, and of future requirements;: so that its utility just now is greatly enhanced in conse- quence. The paper is, indeed, well calculated to dispel such lethargy as there is in the attitude of the public towards aeronautics ; and we therefore feel that it is deserving of the greatest degree of publicity that can be given to it. From some points of view, we would suggest that it should be ranked by readers of FLIGHT- in much the same category as the articles which we our- selves are giving under the heading " How Men Fly;" for it unquestionably brings to light in an easily assimi- lated form much of that fundamental knowledge which' thousands of people in the United Kingdom are now ] seeking for. Then, too, the bearing which it has upon <•' the military outlook of the future is in itself bound to'" attract a considerable amount of notice. Major Squier has a good deal to say upon the various questions which came up before the Peace Conference at the Hague—matters affecting those further inter- national laws that are inevitable—and, needless to • say, he discusses them as a military expert. Even in the abstract, these things have the power to compel', the attention of every thinking man, whatever may be .'_ his attitude towards mechanical progress as mechanical! progress ; but considering that the author winds up by giving actual specifications which have been drawn up by the U.S.A. Signal Corps for aeroplanes and foi diri- gibles, an unmistakable strain of reality is imparted which adds enormously to the weight which this paper carries with it. AERO CLUB FLYING GROUND. JUST as we go to press, we learn that the Committee of the Aero Club, after a most careful search, have con- cludt d their arrangements for acquiring their flying ground at Shellbeach, in the Island of Sheppy. The ground is in every way suitable for the purpose, and an uninterrupted flight of over 10 miles in a straight line may be obtained, with a considerable expanse of country for circling. Also it is bordered on one side by the sea, and at low water there is a large extent of hard sand avai'able. It is very accessible from London, as the express boat trains to Queenborough serve within a short distance of the ground, and members of the Club will find good Club accommodation, both sleeping and food, at the charming old house known as the Muscle Manor Also, for those flyers who may wish to have a permanent residence on the spot, the proprietors propose to at once' commence the erection of bungalows. Immediate steps are being taken to erect sheds, and workshops are now being constructed by the Club's aeronautical engineers, while members will be pet muted to erect their own sheds by arrangement with the Club. Many members are already constructing machines which will make flight trials on the Club ground very shortly. The acquisition of this flying ground will no doubt give a great impetus to the development of aviation in. this country. 112
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