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Aviation History
1910
1910 - 0186.PDF
pjm\ MARCH X2, 1910. THE: PFITZNER MONOPLANE. IN our issue of Feb. 26th we published a couple of photographs, together with a few particulars of a mono plane which embodied many unique features, and which had been constructed in the Curtiss factory at Hammonds- port, New York, by Mr. A. L. Pfitzner. We are now able to give scale drawings of this machine, and in view of its unique design, and the fact that it has already flown, although only very short distances, we think these further particulars will be welcomed. Each of the wings of the main plane is made in three sections, each 5 ft. long, which are attached and connected The system of control, which is shown clearly in our diagram, is a combined one in which all the necessary movements are connected to the one wheel and column. The elevating plane, which is in front of the machine, is operated by giving the steering column a movement to or from the body of the operator; while steering to right and left, by means of the vertical rudder placed above the elevator, is effected by twisting the steering- column wheel; and lateral stability is maintained by turning the wheel. This being connected by cables to the balancing tips causes one of them to project further out Front view, showing the trussing of the wings, of the Pfitzner monoplane. by steel sockets and steel cable, the latter forming a sym metrical double king truss with the beams, the king posts being at the junction of the detachable sections. The two wings are set at a dihedral angle of 5 deg. The surface is single, with the framework exposed on the under side, and consists of vulcanized Japanese silk material which is stretched over the ribs by lacing at the junction of each of the seven sections. The curvature of the surface is of the high-speed type, with the centre of pressure 18 in. from the leading edge. The ribs have a camber of 3I in. in a 6 ft. length, the highest part of the and the opposite one to be withdrawn a corresponding amount. By the side of the controlling column is a lever connected to the throttle of the motor, while a switch button on the steering-wheel enables the Bosch high- tension magneto-ignition to be switched off for the purpose of stopping the motor. The motor is a 25-h.p. 4-cyl. Curtiss, and drives a 6 ft. spruce propeller of 4^ ft. pitch, giving 235 lbs. thrust at 1,200 r.p.m. It is said to weigh only 6f lbs. A noticeable departure from usual monoplane design is the placing of the propeller and engine behind the • GROOVED Hf^nowHtEL __ FOP- 5RLWSCER. WIRE- • JUDDER. p^^^P" V \s ^ \ \ ^^ _ EtEVftToR- L jTT~^|gJs WiK£ &PlLfttNCIMQ TtPS YMIP.ES Diagram of the controlling arrangements on the Pfitzner monoplane. surface being i| in. above the leading edge, while the angle of incidence is 8 deg. ; . The unique feature of the monoplane is the system of equalisers at the tips of the main planes. The main surface, as will be seen from the plan, stops short 30 ins. from the end of each wing, and in this space slides a panel 30 ins. wide by 50 ins. deep, of the same curvature as the main surface. These two balancing tips are inter-connected to the hand wheel, and normally they project 15 ins. at each end. operator. The design of the chassis, too, is also Tmusual. It will be noticed that four wheels are employed, and the machine so balanced as to enable it to start in any direction. The chassis is built up of four vertical posts, each forked at the bottom, and holding a 20 in. diameter wheel fitted with a pneumatic tyre. These four posts are spaced by seamless steel tubing, while at the bottom there is a wooden skid which takes the strain after the first shock has been absorbed by the wheels. 182
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