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Aviation History
1910
1910 - 1023.PDF
DECEMBER IO, 1910. MODELS. MINIATURE MODELS. [948] I have made a model aeroplane, which is the smallest flying model I have seen, and should like to know if any of your readers can compete with it. Length overall, 8 ins. ; main plane, 8 ins. by 1 in. ; elevator, 2 ins. by f in. ; fitted with three wheels, will rise by its own power in under one yard and fly 100 ft. Weight, about fa oz. ; average cost to make, id. Leeds. L. BAXTER. PROPELLER END-THRUST. [949] Reading in FLIGHT about the loss of power by end-thrust, I take it that end-thrust means that after the propeller has been started it goes "all out" for a time, and then gradually slows down before the elastic is unwound. By fixing a fly-wheel would the loss of end-power be overcome ? Harlesden. H. H. WARWICK. [The most important end-thrust is due to the stretched elastic pulling the propeller-boss hard up against the bearing bracket.— ED.] PAPER MODELS. [950] Having been greatly interested in the flying and making of model paper gliders for the past year I venture to enclose a drawing of one of my own design and construction made out of fairly thin paper. It glides with great steadiness and has a very gradual slope of fall. I first made it with side curtains, but this was of no use ; will you kindly let me know the reason of this ? I tried two ailerons on the upper planes but they acted as horizontal rudders ; was this because they were fixed too stiffly ? I have con structed a paper glider as mentioned in letter 850, but have not had satisfactory results. Berkhamsted. C. H. HIGGINS. [Paper gliders being designed for use in still air scarcely require the same devices that may be necessary on a full size machine for use in the open and the presence of side curtains would add to the resistance without appreciably contributing to the stability. Indeed they might detract from the stability, because in models, which are not under the direct control of the pilot, the maintenance of equilibrium depends upon giving them perfect freedom to adjust their direction of travel, which freedom side curtains tend to restrict. The term " horizontal rudder " is ambiguous in the above letter, (/LIGHT] for it may mean that the effect was to steer the model in a horizontal plane or that the effect was that of an elevator, which is to steer in a vertical plane. If the former effect was noticed the probability is that the extensions of the main plane were not equally rigid and therefore not capable of maintaining their " set" during flight. If, on the other hand, they acted the part of an elevator it suggests that the effect was due to the increment represented by their added surface being applied to the main planes without any appropriate compensation on the tail. By adding an appreciable surface to the main planes the speed for a given loading will be less and that part of the machine will be capable of self support at a lower velocity than hitherto. On the" other hand the tail carries the same weight as formerly, consequently if it be made to fly slower it will tend to drop, thereby tilting up the front of the machine and acting the part of an elevator.—ED.] TANDEM MONOPLANE. [951] I am very much obliged to you for your advice on my tandem monoplane. Since receiving it I have fitted a propeller behind the rear plane, but did not get such good results as with the tractor, so I discarded it and fitted a rear plane with increased camber, and I got a flight of about 30 yds. at the height of 20 ft., but it still drops tail first. I am making a new model without the front elevators, and am fixing two propellers behind the front plane. I thank your correspondent, L. P. Klliott (No. 805), for his hint, and will use it if the above model does not turn out satisfactory. I would like some reader to suggest the best size for the pro pellers and what elastic I should want ; the planesl would be 3 ft. by 8 ins., length of fuselage, 30 ins. Nottingham. W. L. KELHAM. MODEL FARMAN. [952] I have just finished a model aeroplane, which is a scale model Faraian, 1 in. to the foot, and I am enclosing some prints. FRAME »PArt_ ^ AIN PLAN STRUTS I5l»t> 3 Ptv WOOO -»* RRASb NAIL. thinking they might be of some interest to your readers. ^ tit is all built up of fa in. by £ in. birch, and the main struts, elevator spars, and skid struts are all shaped down to oval section. The ribs are made of thin three-ply wood, and I find that it takes a very good camber if drawn between the finger and thumb. I notice that some Mr. W. Reid's model biplane. 1021
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