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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0390.PDF
JULY 3, 1909. Control. The system of control on the Curtiss biplane is naturally much the same in its essential features as that on other machines of the type. Steering to the right or left is accomplished by a joint manipulation of the righting planes and the rudder, which may be employed either in the same or in opposite senses, according as it THE CURTISS AERO-MOTOR.-General view of the 4-cyJ. Curtissengine used on the Curtiss biplane. The cylinders are flVin. thick, andhave copper jackets. The weight, without magneto, is 85 lbs. is required to increase or minimise the cant. Longi- tudinal oscillations are damped out by the elevator, and any tendency to capsize is checked by using the balancing planes. Ascent and descent automatically accompany variations in engine power, although the elevator can be used as a means of producing temporary jumps for adjusting the line of flight. The operating mechanism by means of which the pilot is enabled to perform these various manoeuvres, consists of a steering wheel and a lever formed by the pivoted back of his seat, which has extensions embracing his shoulders so that it can be operated by a swaying motion of his body. The steering wheel is mounted on a sliding shaft, and is pulled and pushed bodily to and fro for the purpose of tilting and dipping the elevator.1" Turning the steering wheel upon its axis operates the rudder, and swaying the pilot's body to the right or left controls the righting planes. Power Plant. Some mention has already been made of the engine, the power capacity of which is stated to be 30-h.p. at 1,200 r.p.m. It is a petrol motor of the 4-cyL type, the cylinders being cast separately, and with a thickness of only -/v m- Set diagonally in the heads are the inlet and exhaust valves, both of which are operated by a single pivoted rock lever, controlled from a double acting tappet rod. Surrounding the cylinders are copper-jackets fastened in place with welded joints. On one end of the cam- shaft is a gear wheel water pump and fiom the other end a Bosch high-tension magneto is driven through spur gearing. In the centre an oil pump is driven, but splash lubrication is also provided in the crank chamber. The radiator carries 2 gallons of water and the fuel tank 2\ gallons of petrol. Direct coupled to the crank-shaft is a two- bladed propeller 6 ft. in diameter and 6 ft. pitch. At 1,200 r.p.m. it develops a thrust of 180 lbs., which is considerably in excess (it is conceivably twice as much) of that required for horizontal flight. Materials. - - Timber is employed throughout in the con- struction of the Curtiss biplane, and for the most part the selected wood is Oregon spruce, although it is a feature of the details that some parts of the elevator and tail are made of bamboo. The main spars and ribs of the main deck are of spruce, and the propeller is also of this material. The surfacing con- mentioned elsewhere, of Baldwin rubberisedsists, as silk. Weights and Dimensions. All the principal dimensions, together with the leading weights, will be found on the accompanying drawing, and some have already been referred to in the text above. The engine alone weighs 85 lbs., the magneto 12^ lbs., the radiator 40 lbs. Altogether the accessories bring the engine weight up to 192 lbs. The weight of the machine mounted is 550 lbs., so that as a glider it would weigh mounted 358 lbs., and allowing 170 lbs. for the pilot, the machine alone comes out at 188 lbs., which is an amount that ought to have given the constructors a fair chance of making a sound strong job of their work. FRANKFORT EXHIBITION. ON Saturday next, the Aeronautical Exhibition will open at Frankfort, and remain open until October 10th. In view of the greater attention which has been paid in Germany to the development of lighter-than-air craft, it will be hardly surprising that exhibits relating to this type predominate, and it is promised that several complete dirigibles will be on view. The aeroplane side will, how- ever, not be neglected, and a full and comprehensive display of models and photographs of the most successful machines will be included. A feature of the Exhibition will be the daily trips which it is proposed to make by dirigible balloons to various places round about Frankfort. •• PEACE IN AUSTRIA. IN order to settle all question as to the controlling of aeronautical competitions in Austria, a Commission, on the lines of the French Commission Aerienne Mixte, representing the Viennese Aero Club, the Austrian Automobile Club, and the Austrian Technical Aeroplane Society, has been formed. Each body will elect three delegates to this Commission, and in addition the President of the Viennese Aero Club will be ex-officio Chairman. The Viennese Aero Club is the body inter- nationally recognised, and they retain the sole control of all balloon competitions. All other aeronautical matters will be referred to the consideration of the Austrian Aeronautic Commission. 392
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