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Aviation History
1910
1910 - 0231.PDF
MARCH 26, 1910. •differences in efficiency between the theoretical stream line section and the blunt edge are far less than have been supposed we do not know, but it is, at any rate, very interesting to find how little attention is bestowed to the sharpening of the edges of struts and spars in the Short biplane. Struts and Ties- The struts themselves, like the main spars, are made •of spruce, and are rectangular in section. They taper from the centre towards each extremity in order to com bine strength with lightness, and they are mounted in manganese-steel sockets. These sockets are attached to the spars and not to the struts ; in fact, there is no metal fitting on the struts at all, and if a strut should be broken another can immediately replace it. Being in compres sion as the result of the tension of the diagonal tie-wires, the struts are automatically prevented from coming out of their sockets ; moreover, with this system of construc tion something of the flexibility that characterises the Wright joint has been retained, without the complication of the hook and eye. The tie-wires on the Short machine are stronger than was formerly considered necessary, 10 and 12 S.W.G. being the gauge that is now employed, whereas 16 used to be considered heavy enough. It is interesting to note that Short Brothers have come to the conclusion that wires offer less resistance than is popularly supposed to be the case. Some of our readers may remember that Esnault-Pelterie publicly stated how, after having tried a Wright type of glider of his own construction, he abandoned the biplane principle in favour of the monoplane system solely because of excessive head resistance caused by the wires necessary in biplane construction. He attributed this resistance to the vibration of the wire and seemed to be distinctly of opinion that a single wire had resistance equivalent to a rigid strut an inch or more in diameter. \fiM Chassis and Suspension. The chassis forms another example of the lattice box- girder type of construction, four spruce beams being trussed together by vertical struts and diagonal ties. The tie-members between the upper and lower beams on each side are formed by strip manganese-steel, while the cross- ties between the side-members are formed by piano wire. The lower beams form the skis on which the machine lands, but in conjunction therewith a set of wire wheels are also provided in order to enable the machine to run about on the ground for starting. Two of these wheels, which carry the greater part of the load, are so mounted that they can be raised out of action by a small lever near the pilot's seat, as soon as the machine is in flight, • REJ-eft&E. •RftCHET- n / CAM • "Flight" Copyright. Diagrammatic sketch illustrating the suspension of the Short biplane, and the method of mounting the "disap pearing " wheels so that the machine will land on the skis if the driver releases the ratchet pawl device by which the spring tension is maintained. thereby relieving them of all shock when landing. This releases a set of supplementary springs, which raise the wheels out of action above the level of the skis. The forward wheels, which merely serve to support the weight of the elevator and rudder, are suspended by elastic, and thus offer very little resistance to shock. (To be concluded.) " Flight " Copyright. View of the chassis on the Short biplane; the wheels are suspended on helical springs that are wound up by a jatchet-pawl device. The pilot releases a catch when he has ascended in the air and the wheels are drawn up above the level of the skis, upon which the machine therefore lands direct. 229 c
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