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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0302.PDF
MAY 22, 1909. Interior Harbours. In the development of these larger types of dirigible balloons the main difficulty will be in providing suitable harbours or places of safety, for replenishing supplies, and in seeking shelter in times of stress. As long as the dirigible balloon remains in the air it may be regarded as tolerably safe, both in itself and as a conveyance for observers. If its engines are disabled, it is at least a free balloon, and may be operated as such. When brought in contact with the ground, however, it is in con- siderable danger from high winds. The momentum of such an enormous airship is great, and the comparatively fragile structure of the craft makes it an easy prey to the pounding which it is likely to receive when landing. Just as marine ships must seek a sheltered harbour or put to the open sea in times of storm, so in case of ships of the air, it is much more necessary either to brave the storm in the open or to seek some sheltered harbour on land. Fortunately, in this case, certain suitable harbours for very large ships may be provided at small expense, by using narrow and deep valleys and ravines, surrounded by forests or other protection, or prepared railway cuts, &c., where the airship may descend and be reasonably safe from the winds above. These harbours should, of course, be known to the pilot, and carefully plotted on the maps beforehand. The compass bearing of each harbour from prominent points on land must be known and plotted, to assist as far as possible in navigating the airship in thick weather ; and such harbours may be indicated to the pilot at night by vertical searchlight beams, or by suitable rockets, &c. The aeroplane, as has been pointed out, is likely to prove a flying machine of comparatively low tonnage and high speed. It is not likely to become a burden bearing ship, at least in single units, but will be extremely useful for reconnoitring purposes, for dispatching important orders and instructions at high speed, for reaching in- accessible points, or for carrying individuals of high rank and com- mand to points where their personality is needed. One of the bloodiest contests the world has ever seen, was the Japanese attack on " 203 Metre Hill," yet the sole object of this great slaughter was for the purpose of placing two or three men at its summit to direct the fire of the Japanese siege guns upon the Russian fleet in. the harbourt at Port Arthur. If the United States had possessed in 1898 a single dirigible balloon, even of the size of the one now at Fort Meyer, Virginia, which cost less than $10,000, the American army and navy would not have long remained in doubt of the presence of Cervera's fleet in Santiago Harbour. The world is undoubtedly growing more humane year by year. We have arrived at a conception of the principle of an efficient army and navy, not to provoke war but to preserve peace, and it is believed that, following this principle, the perfection of ships of the air for military purposes will materially contribute, on the whole, to make war less likely in the future than in the past. APPENDIX No. 1. SIGNAL CORPS SPECIFICATION, NO. 486. Advertisement and Specification for a HeavieMhan-Air Flying Machine. To the Public : Sealed proposals, in duplicate, will be received at this office until 12 o'clock noon on February 1st, 1908, on behalf of the Board of Ordnance and Fortification for furnishing the Signal Corps with a heavier-than-air flying machine. All proposals received will be turned over to the Board of Ordnance and Fortification at its first meeting after February 1st for its official action. Persons wishing to submit proposals under this specification can obtain the necessary forms and envelopes by application to the Chief Signal Officer, United States Army, War Department, Washington, D.C. The United States reserves the right to reject any and all proposals. Unless the bidders are also the manufacturers of the flying machine they must state the name and place of the maker. Preliminary.—This specification covers the construction of a flying machine supported entirely by the dynamic reaction of the atmosphere, and having no gas-bag. Acceptance.—The flying machine will be accepted only after a successful trial flight, during which it will comply with all require- ments of this specification. No payments on account will be made until after the trial flight and acceptance. Inspection.—The Government reserves the right to inspect any and all processes of manufacture. General Requirements. The general dimensions of the flying machine will be determined by the manufacturer, subject to the following conditions:— 1. Bidders must submit with their proposals the following— (a) Drawings to scale, showing the general dimensions and shape of the flying machine which they propose to build under this specification. (l>) Statement of the speed for which it is designed. (c) Statement of the total surface area of the supporting planes. (d) Statement of the total weight. («) Description of the engine which will be used for motive power. (/) The material of which the frame, planes, and propellers will be constructed. Plans received will not be shown to other bidders. 2. It is desirable that the flying machine should be designed so that it may be quickly and easily assembled and taken apart and packed for transportation in army wagons. It should be capable of being assembled and put in operating condition in about one hour. 3. The flying machine must be designed to carry two persons having a combined weight of about 350 lbs., also sufficient fuel for a flight of 125 miles. 4. The flying machine should be designed to have a speed of at least 40 m.p.h. in still air, but bidders must submit quotations in their pioposals for cost depending upon the speed attained during the trial flight, according to th<^ following scale :— 4° m.p.h. 39 „38 „ 37 „ 36* „ 100 per cent. ... 90 ... 80 ... 70 „... 60 ,, 41 m.p.h. 43 ,, 43 .. 44 JS no per cenl 120 ,, ... 130 ... 140 ,, ..•"-,_•.,.: * Less than 36 m.p.h. rejected. , ...' 5. The speed accomplished during the trial flight will be deter- mined by taking an average of the time over a measured course of more than five miles, against and with the wind. The time will be taken by a flying start, passing the starting point at full speed at both ends of the course. This test subject to such additional details as the Chief Signal Officer of the Army may prescribe at the time. 6. Before acceptance a trial endurance flight will be required of at least one hour, during which time the flying machine must remain continuously in the air without landing. It shall return to the starting point and land without any damage that would prevent it starting upon another flight. During this trial flight of one hour it must be steered in all directions without difficulty and at all times under perfect control and equilibrium. 7. Three trials will be allowed for speed as provided for in paragraphs 4 and 5. Three trials for endurance as provided for in paragraph 6, and both tests must be #ompleted within a period of thirty days from the date of delivery. The expense of the tests to be borne by the manufacturer. The place of delivery to the Government and trial flights will be at Fort Mver, Virginia. 8. It should be so designed as to ascend in any country which may be encountered in field service. The starting device must be simple and transportable. It should also land in a field without requiring a specially prepared spot, and without damaging its structure. 9. It should be provided with some device to permit of a safe descent in case of an accident to the propelling machinery. 10. It should be sufficiently simple in its construction and opera- tion to permit an intelligent man to become proficient in its use within a reasonable length of time. 11. Bidders must furnish evidence that the Government of the United States has the lawful right to use all patented devices or appurtenances which may be a part of the flying machine, and that the manufacturers of the flying machine are authorised to convey the same to the Government. This refers to the unrestricted right to use the flying machine sold to the Government, but does not con- template the exclusive purchase of patent rights for duplicating the flying machine. 12. Bidders will be required to furnish with their proposal a certified check amounting to ten per cent, of the price stated for the 40-mile speed. Upon making the award for this flying machine these certified checks will be returned to the bidders, and the successful bidder'will be required to furnish a bond, according to Army Regulations, of the amount equal to the price stated for the 40-mile speed. 13. The price quoted in proposals must be understood to include the instruction of two men in the handling and operation of this flying machine. No extra charge for this service will be allowed. 14. Bidders must state the time which will be required for delivery after receipt of order. JAMES ALLEN, Brigadier-General, Chief Signal Officer of the Army. ' Signal Office, Washington, D.C., Dec. 23rd, 1907. 304
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