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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 0092.PDF
I/LIGHTI pair of grips. Total cost, about l\d. As there are some four dozen wire strainers in the machine, this means a considerable saving for the cheapest articles that can be bought are about 6d. each. Figs. 3 and 4 show the strut fixing, each strut being held to the spar by a clip of 1-in 22 gauge strip steel. The bolt holding this serves also to hold the straining wires in place, each wire going right round the strut and clip under the bolt, and the fore and aft wiies going round the head of the bolt and under the spar where it is protected by the clip. A small bracket of the same steel screwed on to the spar, stops all lateral movement. The wheels, Fig. 5, are simply bicycle wheels both on one axle, the ends of the axle running between two guides. A clip over the axle end holds a steel cable, which, passing over two pulleys at the foot, is attached at each end to a pair of steel tension springs. Each spring is capable of holding 56 lbs., with a stretch of 10 inches, so the four of them at that length support 2 cwt. The skids do not touch the ground until the springs have stretched 11 inches. The price of these springs is is. each; the price of rubber ones is Js. each. The dimensions of the machine are: span 27 ft., front to back 30 ft., chord 5 ft., camber 2 in., weight about 130 lbs. The whole machine can be lifted from any of its extremities and the planes have been tested by standing a 12-stone club member on each end of the wing. The second photo shows the Society's gliding hill with the trolley half way up the cables. When the biplane has been tested for balance, lifting power, speed, &c., it is proposed to start it off" by placing it on the trolley. This is then pulled up to the top of the mast, and the pilot by snicking the rope lets go. The whole business glides down the cables with accelerating speed. The sag in the cables allows the machine to keep at a negative angle of incidence for the first part of the journey. At about half way the speed is estimated to be 35 m.h.p., and the angle of incidence becomes positive. The pilot may then raise his elevator, in which he is assisted by the slope of the cables, and the machine answer ing, lifts off the trolley and glides to earth from a height of about ten feet. The trolley swo ips down the rest of the cables and is stopped by the spring board and bridle arrangement at the bottom. This idea is intended to take the place of a sloping field which is so difficult to find near London, and the structure being simple and very strong can be put up anywhere, so that gliding may be practised on any ground where there is room for a run. The photo also shows the Society's aeroplane shed in the back ground. The shed is big enough to house both the biplane and the monoplane now almost completed, and it was built entirely by the members. The biplane is shown just being taken inside. FEBRUARY 4, 1911 A Model Club for Willesden. A NUMBER of persons interested in flying matters having suggested the formation of >a club in Willesden, Mr. Claude Dudgeon of 108, Church Road, Willesden, is taking the initiative, and anyone who wishes to have further particulars of the proposed club is asked to communicate with him, when steps will be takers for calling a meeting. Conlsborough and District Model Ae. Soc. (18, CHURCH ST.). MEMBERS are reminded of the entertainment which will be given in the Church Hall, Conisborough, on Thursday next. The programme will consist of a musical and dramatic entertainment, concluding with a lecture on aviation by the Secretary, illustrated' by a magic lantern. The tickets are 6d. and is. each, and the proceeds will be devoted to the funds of the Society. Clapham Aero Club. THE first competition of the above club was held on Saturday, January 28th, and passed off very successfully. The prize was offered for the best all round model. To decide this, a number of marks were given for each event, i.e., stability, control, altitude, &c. The winner was Mr. W. E. Thorpe, with his "Type No. 6 Albatroplane." This model is a really beautiful flyer, its stability, both laterally and longitudinally, being practically perfect. Competitions are for our members only, and professionals are not admitted as members of this club. The Secretary will be pleased to receive catalogues, &c., from the various accessory dealers, &c. Manchester Aero Club (22, BOOTH STREET). ON Friday, January 20th, a lecture on the " Conquest of the Air'" was delivered by Mr. A. E. Berriman before the members of the club, and a considerable attendance of the general public, at the Municipal School of Technology. The meeting was to have been presided over by the Lord Mayor, but ill-health prevented his presence, and the Principal of the School, Mr. J. H. Reynolds, consented to take the chair. Mr. Berriman divided his lecture into two principal sections, one dealing with the work of pioneers, the other with the technology of modern flight. In the former he traced, as briefly as possible, the conquest of the air from the earliest periods of concrete thought on aviation, showing by means of a variety of illustrations the different ideas of such pioneers as Da Vinci, Lana, Cayley, Montgolfier and others. Particularly interesting were his remarks relating to the discovery of the hot air balloon and the subsequent substitution of hydrogen for Mr. Montgolfier's gas. Another suggestive reference was that made when discussing the subject wherein Mr. Berriman remarked on what might have been the present state of the art of flight had the present race been, practised in gliding from childhood and by custom throughout preceding generations. Gliding, as the lecturer pointed out, might have been introduced years before Lilienthal invented it and it might have come to be looked upon as a not less unnatural art than swimming. One phase of gliding flight was illustrated by the use of a variety of paper models of all kinds and shapes, and the construc tion of such instructive toys to the rising generation was recom mended. He also put forward a suggestion that the encouragement of gliding might be included among the activities of the Manchester Aero Club when they acquire the new aerodrome that they hope to possess. The concluding part of the lecture was devoted to stability, and a demonstration was given of certain phenomena associated with the action of a gyroscope. Sheffield & District Ae.C. (22, MOUNT PLEASANT RD., SHARROW THE club will hold a special general meeting on the evening of Monday next, 6th inst., at 8.15 sharp, at the Wentworth Cafe, Penstone Street, City. Important business will be reported by the Committee, and a discussion will take place. Every member is requested to attend this meeting without fail. The secretary also has a quantity of literature awaiting disposal among the club members. Sheffield Model Aero Club (35, PENRHYN ROAD). A MEETING of the above club will be held at Staniland's Restaurant, West Street (opposite Carver Street), on Wednesday, February Sth, at 8 p.m. AH those interested and wishing to become members should attend as there is some very important business to discuss. Messrs. Blake Bros., West Street, will be pleased at any time to give further particulars to interested enthusiasts and also to receive all contributions. The club will be pleased to receive show cards and catalogues. 04
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