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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0821.PDF
DECEMB«R 18, 1909. vantage that it creates a good deal of pungent smoke, and hence it had better be done in the open air. I have no doubt, however, (I have not tried it myself) that if a gimlet point was to be filed on to the iron bar, and the bar gripped in a carpenter's brace, the holes could also be bored through. Yours faithfully, THE CHECKFIRE DOOR CO. DRESSING FABRIC AND A PETROL MOTOR WANTED. To the Editor of FLIGHT. SIR,—I notice in your issue of December nth, also in a previous number, several of your correspondents complain of difficulty in dressing fabrics for model aeroplanes. I venture to give a few suggestions for covering and proofing planes which I hope will interest your readers. In the first place I find Jap silk, although extremely light, unsuit- able for the purpose on account of the difficulty of working. I am given to understand that dressmakers simply detest " making up " Jap silk, and it does not appear wise for amateur engineers to rush in where the ladies fear to tread. Jackonette or nainsook will be found more suitable. The difference in weight, compared with Jap silk, being fully compensated for by the better "fit " to be obtained with either of the materials mentioned. In passing, I may say that an aeroplane which depends upon the difference in weight of Jap silk, and say, naineook for success or failure, to my mind seems hardly worth while troubling seriously about. Now as to dressing ; I have not tried the varnish recommended by the Aerial Supply Co., but I have tried other kinds of varnish and found none of them a success. My best results have been obtained with boiled oil and terebene. Care should be taken not to use too much of the latter or it will have a tendency to " draw " the fabric. The best way to find out the correct admixture is to stretch a few small pieces of the material and apply the preparation with a brush, adding the dryers until the desired result is obtained. I have never carefully measured the ingredients, so cannot say exactly how much of each is required. I might mention that the nainsook should be dipped in boiling water and ironed out perfectly smooth before cutting out to fit planes. This will prevent the covering becoming " baggy " after- wards. The solution I suggest can be applied after the fabric is fixed in its permanent position, and I don't think any curling will occur. Having said so much by way of giving advice, I should now like to ask for some myself, if I am not encroaching too much on your space. Can any of your readers "put me on "a reliable model petrol motor (weighing from 6 to 10 lbs. with all accessories) at a reason- able price? Also, can you give me any information about an inexpensive "wick carburettor"? Thanking you in anticipation of insertion of this letter, I am, Sir, yours, &c., Ilford. FRED COLLINS. GRATZE MONOPLANE. To the Editor of FLIGHT. SIR,—I herewith enclose a photograph of my monoplane, which contains several new and distinctive features which are protected by patents. First, the steering is executed by the propeller, which works on a universal swivel joint. The wings are also pivoted on a junction of the frame on a patent universal-joint which enables them to be swivelled in any direction, i.e., up or down, backwards or forwards, and to alter the angle of inclination or incidence. The motor is an 8-cyl. 40-h. p. air-cooled engine. Yours faithfully, p.p. E. V. GRATZE, London, W. A. N. DETACHABLE SPARS. To the Editor of FLIGHT. SIR,—I see that one of my late assistants has again sent you particulars of an idea which I used on one of my aeroplanes. This time it is my method of attaching the outside boxes. However, he has left out a very important item, i.e., the clips which I used 10 connect the planes themselves. Otherwise the posts would have to to be of exceptional strength to stand the strain. Yours faithfully, Wembley Park. A. V. ROE. MODEL FLYER. To the Editor of FLIGHT. SIR,—Thinking of designing a model biplane-aeroplane (Farman princ.), I should be pleased if you would enlighten me on the following points :—1. What surface would be required to lift 5 HJS. ? 2. How to fasten the silk to the main-planes ? 3. Is a petrol motor more efficient than an electric one? 4. Is a ^-h.p. petrol molor sufficient to drive a model one-ninth size of Farman's aeroplane ? 5. What size of propeller to drive same ? Yours faithfully, Cohvyn Bay. PROPELLER. [Perhaps some of our readers who have made models of about this size will come forward to the assistance of our correspondent.— ED.] "AVIATION." To the Editor of FLIGHT. SIR,—Unless your correspondent "Gyropter" used the word " aviation " more than twenty-three years ago, he cannot claim to be the originator of it, since M. Jules Verne used it in his book "The Clipper of the Clouds " at least that number of years ago. For my part I think " aviation " a much pleasanter word to use than " volilation," and its exact meaning quite near enough to the mark to justify its use. Yours, etc., Ten Mile Bank, Downham Market. HAROLD KELK. FRAMEWORK FOR MODELS WANTED. To the Editor of FLIGHT. SIR,—Could you enlighten me as to where I can get materials for making the framework for a model monoplane. Ready cut square or round sticks from § to ,",; in. thick and about 2 ft. 6 ins. or 3 ft. long would suit my requirements nicely. Thanking you in anticipation, Yours faithfully, Harringay. L. MORTELMANS. Mr. Gratze's monoplane. 823
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