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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0426.PDF
JULY 17, 1909. An enlarged view of the front portion of the Antoinette monoplane usedby Mr. Hubert Latham, showing the details of construction of the nose, the disposition of the motor, the propellers, and the radiator, and the pro-tecting support underneath the machine attached to the wheels and the lower part of the nose. On Tuesday morning of this week Mr. Latham decided upon a trial flight, merely to see that his machine was in proper order. There was no idea of attempting a crossing, although a tremendous crowd of spectators very quickly arrived on the scene directly there was a rumour to the effect that the flyer was about to be taken out for an airing. Wheeling the machine on to the highway, a start was made in the direction of Calais by running along the flat grass-land by the side of the road. This was one of the few convenient starting points in the vicinity, for although Mr. Latham has chosen a spot with natural facilities for working upon his machine—to wit, •the Channel Tunnel works—his surroundings do not form altogether an ideal land aerodrome. he gets beyond the cliff and away to sea» however, that is a difficulty which will not bother him much. It was just after 8 o'clock when the flyer lifted, and rose steadily to an altitude of 30 ft. or so; it required a run of nearly a quarter of an hour to get off the ground. For a duration of 6£ minutes the flyer remained aloft, and then a descent was made in a cornfield, when some damage was done to the chassis on which the machine is supported. The cause of the mishap, which was in no way serious, was due to the unexpected rapidity of the descent; this was attributed by Mr. Latham to the failure of the wind, whicli was shielded below a certain altitude by surrounding obstructions. Repairs on the machine were immediately put in hand, and speedily finished in readiness for the favourable moment for starting. The insistent wind and rain, followed by fog, has continued with scarcely a break, and at the time of closing for press Mr. Latham had found it inexpedient to attempt the much-looked-forward-to flight. Count de Lambert at Wissant. COUNT DE LAMBERT, who is another pro - spective competitor for the cross-Channel prize, is at Wissant with one of the Wright flyers, which, however, had not even been unpacked on Tuesday of this week. Count de Lambert intends to use another machine for practice flights before making the actual crossing. As the result of his presence, and the interest aroused by the pro- jected attempt, Wissant is rapidly filling with visitors, where Countess de Lambert and her little daughter are also staying. THE AIRSHIP SHEDS OF FRANCE. BEARING in mind that such a thing as an airship shed wants finding in this country, it is rather a matter for reflection to call to mind those which are already in evidence in France. After the hangars at Chalais- Meudon, Saint Cyr, Sartrouville, Moisson, and Meaux- Beaudal, there is the great Clement-Bayard shed at Issy- les-Moulineaux, near the Aero Club ground, while along- side is another belonging to the Astra Co., and in a short while there may be yet one more, but of a different character, since Melvin Vaniman has in hand the con- struction |of a portable shed. It is said that six of these new portable sheds altogether are at present contemplated. The dimensions of the Clement-Bayard shed are 120 metres long, 22 metres wide, and 30 metres high (394 ft. by 72 ft. by 98 ft.). The Astra shed measures 100 metres by 38 metres by 30 metres (328 ft. by 125 ft. by 98 ft.). Melvin Vaniman has been influenced in his designs by his knowledge in the construction of an airship shed used for the housing of the Wellman dirigible at Spitzbergen. < CHEAP HYDROGEN—AN INTERNATIONAL COMPANY. UNDER the auspices of the Disconto Gesellschaft of Berlin, a company has been formed with a capital of i^ million marks, and registered offices in Frankfort-on- Main, to work the patents of the Dellwik-Fleischer Hydrogen Co. The new firm are undertaking the con- struction of special hydrogen works under the superin- tendence of Mr. H. Dicke, and we are informed that they anticipate being able to produce hydrogen of 99 per cent, purity at a price of only 2d. per cubic metre, and are willing to undertake the manufacture under a guarantee of a minimum purity of 98 per cent, under all circum- stances. The plant for the Dellwik-Fleischer process, further particulars of which we shall publish in due course, can be erected anywhere and for any capacity, and should thus do away to a large extent with the necessity of transporting compressed hydrogen. We further understand that the Prussian Minister of War has placed an order for a large Dellwik-Fleischer plant to be erected, and that other Government con- tracts are impending. Altogether this development should be of considerable importance to aeronautical interests. 428
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