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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0454.PDF
The main frame itself is constructed of ash and is braced at intervals with wood struts and diagonal wire ties, which are fitted with tighteners. The attachment of the tail is another interesting detail equally remarkable for its simplicity. The weight of this member is carried by the lower principal longitudinal members of the main frame, to which it is fastened by a pair of channel-section aluminium clips. It is important to bear in mind that the clips are of channel section and therefore partially embrace the rectangular ash beam, thus necessitating only the lightest of bolts to complete the fastening. The bracket extension of these clips carry the main transverse bar of the tail which, as before- mentioned, is a steel tube, and the mounting is so arranged that the tail can pivot upon this bracket as a hinge. The tailing edge of the tail is fitted with a little lug which is bolted to a bracket drilled with holes at frequent intervals so that the angle of incidence of the tail can be set with some nicety. Chassis and Suspension. A pair of large bicycle wheels mounted on castor brackets serve to support the fore part of the machine when it is on the ground, and enable the initial run which precedes flight to be accomplished. The rear part of the machine rests upon a single wheel of smaller dimensions. The chassis to which the two principal wheels are attached consists of a pair of tubular steel columns braced together by two wooden beams, upon one of which the front end of the main frame of the machine rests. This beam is stayed to the heads of the steel columns by a steel strap so arranged that the girder frame rests in a kind of cradle. The upper beam is merely a strut between the two columns. The columns themselves are stayed to the frame, but the forks which carry the wheels are hinged as well as pivoted to the lower ends of the columns, and the wheel hubs are stayed independently to loose collars that ride upon a portion of the upper ends of the columns which are there turned smooth to receive them. 'These collars are anchored to the lower ends of the columns by a pair of very strong elastic bands, and it is these pieces of elastic which constitute the main suspension. Inside the hollow columns are springs used for the purpose of returning the wheels to their normal positions after they have been deflected to one side or the other while running along the ground. The connection between the springs and the wheel brackets is carried out by means of a single flexible wire, working over a swivelling pulley. As the chassis wheels rise and fall over uneven ground they cause the sliding collars to which they are braced to ride up and down on the vertical columns, and the wear which has taken place on this part of the machine is distinctly noticeable; in fact, the marking is suggestive that the collars are apt to jam, behaviour which might otherwise have been expected on account of their ex- tremely short bearing surface, and the obliquity of the thrust which they have to resist. The Engine. The engine with which the Bleriot " No. 11 " is fitted is a 25-h.p. 3-cylinder Anzani of the semi-radial type, which ; means to say. that the cylinders jut out radially from j the upper half of the crank-chamber. The motor is air- cooled, and has auxiliary exhaust ports in the cylinder walls, which are uncovered by the piston at the end of its stroke. The main exhaust valves are, of course, mechanically operated, but the induction valves are automatic, and are situated immediately above the exhaust valves. As the result of the semi-radial construction, the engine is extremely compact, great economy being especially noticeable in the length. The engine is attached to the machine by four channel-steel brackets which are bolted to the faces of the crank-chamber, and are drilled at intervals to the web for the sake of lightness. The bore and stroke of the motor are 100 by 150 mm. The Float. During the Channel flight an inflated air-bag was attached inside the frame between the pilot and the tail to act as a float in water. . AERO CLUB BANQUET TO M. BLERIOT. OWING to the very short notice it was possible to give, the banquet of honour arranged by the Aero Club of the United Kingdom, was more or less informal. That, how- ever, did not detract from the enthusiasm of those at the function. Also, in- view of the fact that M. and Madame Bleriot had arranged to return to France by the night boat, speeches had to be reduced to a minimum. The room in which the dinner was held at the Hotel Ritz was decorated with the British and French flags intertwined, and the table decorations consisted of red, white and blue flowers, while in a prominent position was a model sugar of the Bleriot monoplane, ist as the guests were assembling, the news arrived of atham's second attempt to cross the Channel, andy as more sincere in their sympathy than M. and * Bleriot. M. Bleriot thought that Mr. Latham *d the same difficulty that he did, namely, that 1 wind blew off the English clifls which made ascend to land. oasts of King Edward and the President of ^epublic had been duly honoured, the ^.oger Wallace, proposed the health of •esented him with the Gold Medal of the Club. Mr. Wallace said they could not allow the occa- sion to pass without saying something of the wonderful achievement of M. Bleriot, whose name, like that of many others who were taking the lead in the science of aeronautics, had been prominent in connection with the automobile movement. M. Bleriot, replying in French, • after apologising for having to leave in a hurry, thanked the Aero Club for the splendid welcome they had given f him, and asked to be made an active member, so that / when he came to England again he would be able to '; collaborate with the other members of the Club in working for its welfare. • The Chairman, ascertaining that a quorum of the Committee was present, at once proposed the election of M. Bleriot, which was carried with acclamation. The Hon. C. S. Rolls proposed the toast of the Aero Club of France, and announced M. Bleriot's intentions with regard to the London to Manchester flight, to which we refer elsewhere. M. le Blanc responded and proposed the " Aero Club of the United Kingdom." At 8.30 p.m. prompt, the guest of the evening took his departure for the Paris train as speedily as the admiring guests we ild permit. 456
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