FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1910
1910 - 0745.PDF
plane naturally slows up and begins to fall, and unless there is sufficient height for it to fall until it can regain its speed for horizontal flight, it must crash to the ground. It would be interesting to know the least height from which a machine in still air could glide to the ground when the engine had stopped. This would vary for different machines, according to weight, surface, &c. With regard to Sir Hiram Maxim's " paradox " aeroplane, surely the solution is that the lift of any flat plane would be increased by a curved top, not because the top lifts, but because the pressure underneath is increased by the decreased pressure over the top curve, caused by the rising current of air in front of the moving surface meeting the plane at a gradually increasing angle ; this advance current of air is caused by the reaction of the air under the plane. Air waves and swirls seem to be very similar to the action of water, only they are more complex and exaggerated. With regard to the power decreasing as the speed increases, this is well illustrated in the flight of birds. It has been calculated that a gull in rising from the ground gives five wing-beats per second, which are reduced to three beats in horizontal flight, and as the sweep of the wing-stroke is also reduced by the resistance of the air, the power required in flight is about one-fifth of the power required to raise the bird off the ground. I really must tell you a story against myself. Some kind 01 parson came here the other day and was much interested in my aeroplane, and having discussed it quite sensibly, he said, " but you will not want an aeroplane soon, you will have angel's wings." As he appeared quite serious, I thanked him nicely for expecting me to go to heaven, naturally thinking he meant that, as everyone here expects me to be killed. However, he was quite horrified, and told me that it would be very difficult for me to get there, and that what he meant was that future aviators would merely strap on a pair of wings and flap around like birds ! Wasn't it funny ? LILIAN E. BLAND. GOODWIN AEROPLANE. [745] I am extremely glad that you have published three such splendid articles on speed for less power. I enclose you a sketch of an aeroplane. The body of this is to be of aluminium sheet, as all strain is taken up by the main steel girders. I think the description written on the sketch otherwise describes it. I estimate the weight at 1,500 lbs., and speed required to rise at 50 m.p.h. Speed in air 90 to 100 m.p.h. Description of sketch.—A. Main longitudinal frame ; B. Main c*oss-frame; C. Engines ; D. Propeller clearance holes; E. Seats for pilots ; F. Outside bracing-frame ; G. Propellers ; H. Wheels. It will be seen that the outside frame, F F F F, is all on one "5<r«J* fell**.' V plane ; the curvature of the plane is from I to I and from K to K. Steering is intended to be done by the hinder disc-wheel, H—side ways. For deflection the side disc-wheels, H, H, are meant to bt used, the general principle being similar to the Dunne aeroplane. West Hampstead. A. S. GOODWIN. BRAKES FOR AEROPLANES. [746] Could not the mishap to Cordonnier's Hanriot monoplane have been averted if he had had some means of putting a brake on his machine's flight, or rather run ? I suppose it was only his impetus which carried him into the River Wey, not his propeller, and I have thought for some time that a brake on the wheels would stop any aeroplane, if the propeller was still. Landing in a confined space would be much easier, in my opinion, and the weight would be very little. Several accidents have been caused by the aviator being unable to pull up in time. Perhaps, however, there is something to make this idea unsafe or impracticable (though I cannot see it). I should like to know if there is a model aeroplane club in Liverpool, or, if not, I should like to hear from anyone who is desirous of forming one. I have made six monoplanes and only one biplane, and have not yet had any success worth mentioning. Your paper has been most valuable to me in my work, akhough my models are all my design. Bootle. A. G. TUOH. [In our discussion of the Bournemouth meeting we had occasion to deal with this question of alighting on tad ground, and we expressed the opinion that it would be very desirable if machines were more generally fitted with landing skids than they are at present, and we think that skids such as are used on the Wright machine, for example, undoubtedly tend to minimise the risks of landing, and since such risks are totally undesirable in that they contribute nothing to the progress of flight, everything possible should be done to encourage their use. Wheeled chassis have been so deservedly popular for starting that there has been a tendency to overlook the other side of the question, and there is no doubt that the wheeled chassis has been the cause of several landing accidents that might otherwise have been avoided. Wheels and skids have each such desirable qualities that we think every effort ought to be made to combine them in a form that will provide the advantages of both without the disadvantages of either. A combination chassis with disappearing wheels has already been designed, and was exhibited by Short Bros, at the last Olympia Show, and we have no doubt that if others also turned their attention to this idea, useful developments would quickly ensue.—ED.] MODELS. TWIN-SCREW MODELS. [747] Can any of your readers, having had experience with model aeroplanes, let me know the effect .. - - _ of placing two propellers, side by side, one overlapping the other ? / I have an " Al-ma" model aero- ' plane which appears to require more J power than one propeller gives. Would a propeller fixed beneath the pair of propellers, thus : prevent the model dipping, which it does now ? The propellers are at the extreme rear of the machine. I should be much obliged for any hints regarding the " Al-ma." Holloway. B. G. D. MODEL BLERIOT RIBS. [748] I am building a Bleriot type monoplane. Can any of your readers give me a sketch for the formation of ribs on the main planes. Lambourn. L. T. SUTTON. MODEL CONSTRUCTION. [749] During the last two or three months I have begun to follow up your excellent paper FLIGHT with much more interest than I first did. In a recent issue (July 30th, 1910), I happen to have noticed the interesting letter (Reference No. 656) entitled " Model Construction." I am at present in a little difficulty how to go about making one to be driven by two propellers, and I think the idea which is shown on the photograph is an excellent one. I have tried to make out how to go about it, but have failed to do so. I should, therefore, feel greatly indebted to the writer if he would explain as clearly as possible the whole idea of the construction. Thanking him in anticipation. Manchester. W. BLOOMFIELD. [750] Your correspondent Mr. S. Guy enquires about the fitting of an elastic motor to a model Farman machine. Perhaps the accompanying rough sketch will be of interest to all who are con structing models on the Farman lines. 743
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
