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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0174.PDF
MARCH 27, 1909. • •••••21 i1 ? ? /y , • IliiBSBfiSSffwSS^RHHM^HHBBUBHHBBRB Howard-Wright (HOWARD T. WRIGHT). The biplane designed by Mr. Howard T. Wright and built at his factory has several original features, of which perhaps the most important is the entire use of steel tubes in the construction of the framework. T h e s e tubes are of special steel, and are specially drawn to different sec- tions, those forming the main longitudinal members being tubu- lar, while those which form the struts between the two decks have a pear-shaped section in accordance with the accepted theories of air - resistance. Other tubes again are oval in section, so that in the whole construction no trouble and expense has been spared to combine strength with lightness. Through- out, the joints are rigid, and in most cases have been formed by the oxy-acetylene weld- ing process, which has even been used for securing the staples to which the tie-wires are attached. In other places flanged joints are used, but everywhere the work has been executed with the same care, so that the machine has a particularly neat, not to say delicate appearance, the latter effect being given to it by the small section of the steel tubing of the main framework. In its general lines the Howard-Wright biplane belongs to the Voisin type, inasmuch as it has a box-kite tail. This member encloses a vertical rudder, and there is also a biplane elevator in front. The mounting of the machine is unusual, for there is but one wheel for it to run on beneath the central chassis and another under the tail. On the extremities of the lower deck there are, however, two small wheels of the bicycle type. The idea involved is that the embryo aviator will be able to learn something of the control of the machine without leaving terra firma by driving it about over the ground on two wheels only; in this way it is anticipated that he will learn to steer and balance the machine. Inset into the rear edges of the main planes at both ends and on both decks are small righting planes, which are used for restoring lateral stability. The motive power is derived from a 50-h.p. Metal- lurgique aero-motor, and a special feature of the system of propulsion is the use of a pair of compensated two- bladed propellers mounted in tandem. At first sight it appears as if there is but one four-bladed propeller in position, but, as a matter of fact, each pair of blades are separate, and revolve in opposite directions. They are interconnected by means of a differential-gear—similar to that used on a motor car—one member of which is driven direct by the engine. The propeller nearest the motor has much larger blades than that behind it, and absorbs two-thirds of the power, but the speeds of the pro- pellers are equal: each runs at one-third the engine speed. Mr. Howard Wright's object in arranging his propellers so that they revolve in opposite directions is to neutralise their gyroscopic effect; the torque of the engine is not balanced by this system, as might at first appear, to be the case. The surfaces of the flyer are " Flight " Copyright Photo.AERO SHOW AT OLYMPIA.—The Howard-Wright biplane, seen from behind. The entire framework is made of steel, and another special feature is the use of tandempropellers revolving in opposite directions. The righting tips let into the rear edges of the main planes are clearly indicated in this view. made of linen, coated with a specially smooth glossy varnish. The car or chassis of the machine is also entirely covered with fabric, and the pilot sits almost immediately over the front edge of the lower deck. Pischoff (CAPT. WINDHAM). -';.- : J x Capt. Windham, who has entered the commercial side of aviation, shows a biplane, which was constructed for him by Messrs. Pischoff, in PYance, embodying ideas of his own. Capt. Windham has now arranged to build similar machines in England for sale to the public at the price of ^650 complete. One of the most characteristic features of the machine is that derived from the appear- ance of the outrigger framework which carries the biplane elevator in front and the rigid biplane tail behind. The first impression is that this framework is one complete elliptical unit, but closer inspection shows the lack of continuity in the upper girder members which stop short under the main planes. The machine is mainly con- structed of wood, but has a certain amount of tubular steel work in connection with the chassis and the brackets for the support of the two chain-driven propellers which are situated immediately behind the main planes, and therefore a little aft of the centre of the machine as a whole. The planes themselves are double surfaced, but the appearance.of the end webs does not give evidence of any close attention to special curvature. The decks are separated by vertical wood struts, with the usual system of diagonal wiring. The struts are bolted to strip iron angle plates, which in turn are either bolted or screwed to the main spars, but although this detail in the construction is evidently not intended to be flexible, the rough fitting certainly belies rigidity; in fact, there is a distinct lack of refined workmanship in many parts of the machine. An original feature of the control is pivoting the back of the pilot's seat so that by swaying his body he can 176
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