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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 0187.PDF
MARCH 4, 1911. ment. This, we think, is the more remarkable as paper models are notoriously difficult to keep ship-shape and there was really every excuse for failure. On the whole, therefore, it was rather an instructive lesson on the very real nature of stability once that quality has been inculcated into the design. It will be observed from a mere glance at the drawings, all of which are arranged one way, that some of the models fly tail first, as for example do those of L. Roche (Nos. 14, 16, 17). Another constructed on this principle is that sent in by H. Roe (No. 1), which is the crudest sort of device, but nevertheless demonstrates the gliding principle. Quite a clever design is that of N. F. Phillips (No. 2), in which the disposition of the load is obtained entirely by folds in the paper. But as the paper in question is of the ordinary exercise sort, the construction is rather too flimsy to be useful. Another paper monoplane having some points of resemblance to the Roe, but flying with the main planes in front, was sent in by R. Kershaw (No. 6), and the clever point in this design is the use of a little spill of paper sliding telescopically in the body for the purpose of adjusting the balance. Com paring tail-first gliders with head-first gliders the essential difference is, of course, the necessity for a concentrated load in the vicinity of the leading edge of the main planes on the latter type. In the tail-first monoplanes no such load is ordinarily necessary as the tail itself appears to serve this purpose. The ballasted flat plane in a slightly elaborated form was sent in by C. M. Pollit (No. 5), but in spite of the modi fications from the absolute simple rectangular plane it is still possible to notice the extreme sensitiveness of the flight of this particular form of model when made in paper. A further modification of the flat plane was submitted by T. W. K. Clarke (No. 7), the plane in this case having a light mahogany backbone carrying lead wire as ballast in front and a fixed rudder plane behind. The behaviour of this model is excellent, but its weakness lies in the nose, which easily breaks. For that reason we had to improve jycHT] upon Mr. Clarke's construction by using some of his lead wire in order to stitch the head on to the body. A pin in serted through the ballast serves as a splint and substantially strengthened the construction. Another Clarke model of the birdlike variety is shown in No. 3, and a similar type by Renateau in No. 4. Quite the most interesting of all the models, however, is that illustrated in No. 8 and submitted by D. Urquhart. It is a tailless cambered monoplane and flies perfectly ; indeed, it perhaps flies better than any other of those illustrated. An ordinary rectangular cambered tailless monoplane is, as our readers know, quite unstable, but the back-turned wing tips in the Urquhart model serve the purpose of a tail as they do in the Dunne macliine, which is the explanation of its stability. From the same correspondent two other models, 9 and 10, were also sent in, the former having a cambered plane and the latter a flat plane which will only fly with a dihedral formed as a semi-circle. A very well-known paper glider is the Webb, No. is, which is an excellent flyer and very instructive. These little gliders are, as a matter of fact, actually on the market, and those who do not know of them would do well to secure a box for the modest outlay of 6d. and make a few experi ments. The little lead ballast weight on the backbone can be set in any one of a scries of holes, and it is most interesting to observe the different effects produced by shifting the position. A simple little model balanced by a shifting pin is sent in by J. D. North (No. 20), while the balance on A. L. Parsons' model (No. 19) is formed by the extension of the wooden backbone. The R. N. Harrison glider (No. 13) is also very simple, being ballasted by a pin and lead foil. Another model made by Mr. Harrison (No. 15) is particularly interesting because it is made of cardboard and has a cam bered plane. But for the high efficiency of cambered planes, we doubt if a model made of such heavy material would glide successfully. The C. M. Pollit glider is a fascinating little miniature tail-first device, the two planes being held in the split extremities of a match. WOOD WAFER WINGS. MODEL-MAKERS who are on the look-out for a new surfacing material for planes will be interested in the thin wood supplied by Messrs. Ralph Turner, of Langley, Bucks, for this purpose. The sheets are capable of taking a 2-ft. span and 3-in. chord in one piece and are only -fc in. thick. Needless to say, they can be bent to any camber and the problem for the model-maker is to fix the camber without adding undue weight or detracting from the efficiency of the planes. If any trouble is experienced in connection with the extremities of the plane splitting through the falling of the model, we would suggest that they be bound with [thin 'good paper. The use of cigarette paper in this way is tan ex cellent means of preventing the edges of mica planes from splitting. A •'SPECIMEN" MODEL.—Model Farman biplane to scale, 1 in. to 1 ft., built by Mr. G. P. Smith, of Fulham, from the Twining Aeroplane Company's No. 10 parcel of materials and working drawings. The model is driven by a Chauviere pattern propeller geared in a ratio of 3 to 1 with the elastic rubber motor. The whole "power plant" is placed on the centre of gravity of the machine. The landing gear is exactly the same as in the prototype, with rubber ring suspension and radial arms. The rudders are moved by foot cross-bar, the elevator by lever on the right-hand side of the aviator's seat. Mr. Smith has put some very neat and careful work into the model, and the Twining Aeroplane Company inform us that they have had other fine examples sent them of Bleriot, Wright, and Antoinette machines made from their well-known sets of materials. These sets are in all cases accompanied by full drawings and instructions, and some twelve different parcels are in all supplied at prices ranging from Is. to 38. Qd. 189
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