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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0605.PDF
OCTOBER Z, 1909. the other. The movement is also designed to allow a gradual descent in the event of the motor failing, when the planes are placed instantly in such a position that they form parachutes. It is interesting to learn that a biplane and a monoplane are also being built at the De Dion works. The next most conspicuous novelty is the small Santos Dumont monoplane in which a very good flight was made recently, after which it was announced that M. Santos Dumont was going to give his plans to the public. It now appears, however, that he has come to an arrangement with the Clement-Bayard firm, of which MM. Adolf Clement and Charron are the chief part- ners, for manufacturing these machines at a retail price of ^300 each, while a good deal of publicity is being secured for the three parties that are concerned by the mention that the type of Darracq engine which M. Dumont used on his famous flight will be made by the Clement-Bayard firm—an arrangement which, of course, gives the Darracq firm an admirable opportunity of saying, " Certainly not." The Santos Dumont aeroplane is a thing which, apart from the question of the engine and the propeller, costs next to nothing to make, nor should any lengthy wear be expected out of it. It does not strike one as being a high-class engineering proposition or a machine built to outlast more than one brief season ; but as a voiturette of the air, which it is intended to be, or, to quote M. Dumont's own phrase, "un aeroplane de vulgarisation," it is bound to enjoy a widespread vogue. In view of the special interest attaching to this little flyer, we give elsewhere in this issue a description in detail, together with drawings to scale, so that any of our readers can avail themselves of the generous offer made by M. Dumont of throwing his patent rights open to the world without return of any sort. There are quite a number of new single surface machines, including the Hanriot type that is introduced by the famous motor-car racing driver, and specimens of which are to be handled in competition shortly by himself, his old colleague Wagner, and Edmond. The machine is not notably original but combines many well-approved features. In the matter of landing and the system of supporting the main planes, it follows Antoinette practice as well as in regard to the tail planes and rudders ; but at the back there is a skid as in the Santos Dumont style. The overall length is 20 ft., the maximum breadth being 29^9 ft., while the wing surface is 24 square metres, the total weight working out to 731 lbs., allowing for a motor of 209 lbs. which develops 55-h.p. The main plane of this machine, however, is not divided in two, and is absolutely straight from tip to tip. The Avia monoplane is also a machine having a single tractor screw, the model shown being fitted with a 20-h.p. Dutheil-Chalmers engine, but subsequent machines ® &> Rheims Aerodrome and School of Flight. ONE of the developments of the Rheims meeting is that a scheme has been drawn up for the creation of a permanent aerodrome and the establishment of a school of flight on the plains of Betheny. It is proposed that the school should possess a machine of each successful type, so that the prospective flyer can be taught to manipulate any particular aeroplane to which his fancy inclines. The scheme has very influential backing, and provided it is carried out on the lines indicated by the promoters, its foundation should mark another of the most important stages in the recent remarkable develop- ment of aviation. of the type will be fitted with a 50-h.p. motor of the same design. The Koechlin monoplane suggests a combination of Antoinette and Bleriot practice, the wings having a span of 26 feet only, and the weight in flying order being 572 lbs. The Gregoire-Gyp is another monoplane more or less of the Bleriot sort. Of less conventional design is the Gangier machine, that has curved extension to the ribs that jut out in front of the main plane, the extremities of which are curved towards the back. The body is somewhat boat- shaped. The front of the chassis puts one in mind of Voisin and Bleriot practice, and two screws are used in connection with the chain drive. Among startlingly unusual designs, one must not omit to mention the Autoplane, that is seemingly a series of curves, the foremost one being with the tip of the wings downward like an inverted U and the rear ones having the tips turned upwards but far less abruptly. The exhibit is by MM. E. Aime and E. Salmon. A reminder of the letter U inverted is furnished also in the case of the very unusual " Raoul-Vendome No. Ill," which is a monoplane with hinged tips attached to the extremities of the wings, while the frame is more or less like a caricature of a skeleton, consisting of a sort of spine bent somewhat like a bow, and attached at the front end to the apex of the inverted U, at either extremity of which there is furnished a wheel. At the end of the spine there are two horizontal longitudinal panels, and below the spine the back one is hinged and serves as a rudder. Jutting from the top of the rear extremity there is a small plane having a pronounced curve, and serving as a stabiliser by reason of its being variable as to the angle of its attacking the wind. The new biplanes are anything but numerous. There is the Fernandez, that puts one more in mind of Curtiss than any other practice, being equipped with three wheels and a single runner. The wings are relatively small, and have a pronounced curve. They cannot be warped, but they have rear extension flaps, the angle of incidence of which can be varied at the will of the pilot. There is only one forward elevating plane, but there is a com- panion one in the rear of the main planes. The Clement-Bayard biplane of the latest sort is very remin- iscent of Farman and Voisin practice. Like both these machines, a central propeller is behind the main planes, the corners of which, however, are rounded off some- thing in the Wright fashion. Caster type of wheels are used in front. A four-cylinder vertical Clement-Bayard engine and the propeller are behind the pilot. The Dutheil-Chalmers biplane is not wholly unfamiliar to the British public, the specimen shown being in many points like the Cody machine. Ball Bearings for Flyers, WE learn that the 60-h.p. engine which secured the world's record for speed for Mons. L. Bleriot's monoplane at Rheims on August 28th, when one lap (10 kiloms) was covered in 7 mins. 47f- sees., was fitted on Hoffmann's ball bearings. In spite of the engine being burnt after the accident which occurred subsequently, the bearings were in perfect condition, and it was therefore possible to fit the engine on a new monoplane. Perfect accuracy in bearings, such as characterises the Hoffmann, should appeal especially to the aviator upon the life of whose engine, and its easy running, depends so much of his safety and h>'s success.
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