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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0783.PDF
L DBCBMBER 4, 1909. Bleriot at Issy. M. BLERIOT was busy at Issy on the 23rd ult. testing a couple of passenger machines for MM. de Lesseps and Malingaux. VViih one machine M. Bleriot, accompanied by M. Leblanc, flew round the course five or six times, while on the other machines he repeatedly described a figure " 8." The machines were then taken possession of by their owners, who contented themselves by running along the ground. . Sheds for Flyers. MR. W. HARBROW (of South Bermondsey Station, S.E.) has issued a useful circular notifying his capacity for the erection of aeroplane sheds. Some standard sizes at popular prices are quoted, and the style of build- ing can be gathered fom accompanying illustrations of " The Street " at Shcllbeach, &c, which is the work of the firm. Aviation Picture Postcards. SEVERAL readers are inquiring for picture postcards relating to aviation subjects, especially flyers in motion. If any publishers make a speciality of these, we shall be glad to hear from them. One correspondent specially asks for the addresses, in this connection, of MM. Levy Fils (" L. F." cards) and C. Malcint (" C. M." cards). Another Address "Wanted. MR. R. MURIE has addressed a request for cata- logue and particulars of aeroplanes to one of our advertisers but has omitted to give his address. We shall be pleased to have this sent on for forwarding. AIRSHIPS AND BALLOONS. The British Naval Dirigible. AT last some external evidence that progress is being made with regard to the big naval dirigible under construction at Barrow is shown by the iact that the huge shed which is to house it is now beginning to assume shape. Last week the first arch was erected, and the work will now proceed with all speed. The dirigible is to be ready for trials by the end of February. IHew Willows Dirigible. As soon as the weather conditions are favourable Mr. E. T. Willows, of Cardiff, hopes to make a long flight with his new dirigible, which is at present housed in the big shed on Splott Moors. The envelope is of the usual cigar-shape, and is 86 feet in length and 22 feet in diameter. Steering is effected by a large rudder having an area of 56 square feet, while the propeller is driven by a 30-h.p. engine. Gordon-Bennett Balloon Race. AT last the Swiss Aero Club appear to have come to a definite decision regarding the result of the Gordon- Bennett Balloon Race. First place has been awarded to the "America II," piloted by Mr. Mix, while Switzerland secured the next two positions, Capt. Messner's " Azurea" being placed second and Col. Shaeck's " Helvetia" third. M. Leblanc, who was in charge of the " He de France," and covered the second longest distance, has been disqualified. At the moment of landing the balloon disappeared and was not seen again. CORRESPONDENCE. •„* The name and address of the writer (not necessarily fat publications MUST in all cases accompany letters intended fot insertion, or containing queries. NOTICE.—Correspondents asking questions relating to articles which they have read in FLIGHT, would much facilitateour work of reference by kindly indicating the volume and page in their letters. CORD FOR LARGE KITES. To the Editor of FLIGHT. SIR,—I have seme large kites, which I make myself, and find to be very good flyers ; this was an unknown sport here till I took it up. Some of them are 20 ft. wide ; where can I procure strong cord to hold a kite with over 140 sq. ft. surface ? Also for smaller ones 30 and 70 sq. ft. I buy rope here, and it twists the leading cords coming from the kite, and so puts them out of proper angle. My large one will raise a man easily on a wind l| lbs. to the foot. How do I attach the carrying chair to the holding rope, or to a rope suspended from the kite ? Can you recommend me a good book on the subject ? Yours faithfully, M. T. CARROLL. VARNISHED FABRIC—AN ENQUIRY. To the Editor of FLIGHT. SIR,—Could you, or any reader, inform me of the best and cheapest way of making ordinary calico airproof, by varnishing or glazing same, without increasing the weight very much ? It is for covering a 4 ft. biplane model of the Farman type, therefore do not want too heavy covering. Wishing you every succe-s, I remain, yours faithfully, Balham. E. PHILLIPS. SOARING EAGLES IN ENGLAND. To the Editor of FLIGHT. SIR,—Whilst piloting a balloon last Saturday over Kent, I was surprised to see a large eagle soaring about in the neighbourhood of the balloon at a height of about 2,003 ft., and roughly 500 yards away from us. My two passengers, Mr. Alban J. Roberts, and my brother, Mr. H. M. Maitland, were watching it closely through Zeiss glasses, and as far as they could see it did not appear to move its wings in the slightest; they made a sharp dihedral angle. It looked exactly like an Antoinette monoplane in the distance ; it was most interesting. Another rather interesting incident, which is perhaps the best object-lesson as to the different air-currents which exist at different altitudes, was this:—Our balloon was'at 3,000 ft. Another balloon, about five miles to the north of us, appeared to be at about 2,000 ft. Slowly the two balloons converged towards one another, until the other balloon was directly underneath us ; we then gradually separated until lost to sight. Though only about 1.000 ft. difference in altitude, we weie travelling in exactly opposite directions. I am, yours faithfully, E. M. MAITLAND, Captain, the Essex Regiment. P.S.—-An eagle was shot at Sundridge, where we landed, about ten months previously. E. M. M. FLIGHT IN NATAL. To the Editor of FLIGHT. SIR,—FLIGHT reaches me regularly in this somewhat out of the way corner of the globe, where the art of flying would be parti- cularly useful. There are no roads worthy of the name, and five miles an hour on horseback is a fair average over many of the tracks I have to follow. There would be plenty of scope for the intrepid glider in these parts, and if a "jump off" were made from any of the hill-tops around here, the glidist would find himself a thousand feet or so above the ground in something less than two minutes. I am afraid, however, that, in spite of the wonderful strides that have been made in practical aviation, before the flyer has been brought to such a state of perfection that it will safely cope with the upward, downward and sideways currents of air which must be caused by these hills and dales, it will not be necessary for me to move from one particular and sacred spot. 785
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