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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 0408.PDF
l/jTiGHT] MODELS. Model Dirigible. [1166J Would you be so kind as to inform me how to cut and join the segments of a small dirigible, and oblige Penge. " DIRIGIBLE." [In the sketch suppose the upper drawing to be an elevation of the dirigible and the lower a plan of a segment. Then make the width of the segment at a, b, c, &c, equal to 3*15 times the diameter A, B, C, &c, divided by the number •f segments desired. A slight allowance should be allotted at the edges for sewing.—ED.] Paper Models. [1167] I note that a reader, Mr. L. Baxter, has made an 8 in. paper model, self-propelled and carrying wheels, capable of flying IOO ft., the total weight of which is " about ^ oz." I would be very interested if Mr. Baxter would weigh the model and let us know the exact result. Personally I am inclined to lay considerable store by the use of paper models, as it seems that up to a certain point they contain the maximum of instruction with the minimum ci time and expense in preparation. Some weeks ago a model of mine was published in these columns giving full details of its construction, of the materials used, of the exact weight and of the result in practice. The model, which was, I think, 10 ins. over all, weighed A oz-. and the distance flown by it 100 ft., but after the date that the actual model had been sent to the Editor a similar model flew over 200 ft. I found that there was very little to be gained by reducing the weight further, as the model suffered proportionately in its alighting. If Mr. Baxter or any other ingenious reader cares to develop the following idea he may find he is doing a service to the ornithopter school. In considering the flight of a bird we speak of its " flapping its wings up and down," which idea we may equally correctly express by saying that, relatively to its wings, " it moves its body down and up," or in other words, that it keeps aontinually lowering and raising its centre of gravity relatively «o its centre of pressure. Now let us cut out a paper bird, reinforce the wings and body with small splinters of cane, shape and flex the wings to simulate those of a bird, and finally cut a hole through the centre of the body. In tliis hole a small pendulum must be suspended capable not merely of swinging but of revolving over and over, above and below the bird's body, turning on an axis parallel to the length of the wings. (This can be effected with some strands of elastic suitably arranged.) The effect, as we see at once, is to raise and lower the centre of gravity of the model relatively to the wings, with the result that when the model is allowed to glide through the air, the pendulum at the same time revolving, the wings flap with considerable naturalness and vigour. I cannot, however, report a sustained flight with one of these, but. MAY 6, 1911. as every model maker knows, it is unusual to be successful all at once, and now I have no opportunity to continue experiments. In connection, however, with the above I made several paper models in which the wings were actually flapped relatively to the body by means of a light mechanism driven by elastic. These models gave far more satisfaction than the first save for the greater difficulty in making them, and although I could never be certain as to what extent the flapping affected the glide of the model, I was satisfied that with perseverance a flapping flight would be quite practical. If any of your readers know of any mechanical ornithopter that has achieved success I should be interested to hear of it. Brentwood. GE°- C- SHERRIN. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. Record oj Sports. Royal Insurance Co., Ltd., I, North John Street, Liverpool. The Aeroplane, Past, Present, and Future. By Claude Grahame- White and Harry Harper. London: T. Werner Laurie. Price iSf. net. Catalogue. Aeroplane Parts. A. Binet et Cie., Paris. Agents: The City Ignition Co., 274A, Goswell Road, E.C. ® ® ® ® Aeronautical Patents Published. Applied for in 1010. Published May 4th, 1911. 6,287. H. J. HELLER. Aerial propeller. 9,047. L. WOLLMERSHAUSEK. Propulsion of aerial vessels. 9,485. PLANES, LTL>., AND W. P. THOMPSON. Flying machines. 28,369. H. GAARA. Steering devices for aeroplanes. 30,209. E. RENAULT. Steering-gear for flying machines. ® ® ® ® DIARY OF COMING EVENTS. British General Events. July 1 .. Gordon-Bennett Aviation Cup Contest. July 33-Aug. 5 Daily Mail Round England Contest. Oct. 31 .. Close of British Michelin Cup. Foreign Fixtures. May .. Paris—Bordeaux—Paris. June 18 .. European Circuit—Paris, Brussels, London, Paris. July .. Italian Circuit, July 1-13 .. Circuit Berlin—Hanover—Hamburg. PRINCIPAL CONTENTS. « »ASB Aeroplanes in Naval Warfare. F. W. B. Hambling 39* Portrait : Mr. C. H, Piston .. .. 391 British Notes of the Week 392 From the British Flying Grounds . 394 Royal Aero Club Notes 7 Progress of Flight about the Country .. 397 Additions to our Library 398 Aviation and Common Sense. F. I. Wilbur 399 120-h.p. Wolseley Engine .. .. .. .. .. .. 401 Atmospheric Friction A. F. Zahm . .. .. .. 403 Forrign Aviation News .. .. ,. .. ., ,. 406 A Model Monopline. H.W.Dunn 407 Correspondence 408 FLIGHT. 44, ST. MARTIN'S LANE, LONDON, W.C. Telegraphic address: Truditur, London. Telephone: 1828 Gerrard. SUBSCRIPTION RATES. FLIGHT will be forwarded, post free, to any part of the world at the following rates:— UNITED KINGDOM. ABROAD. Months, Pgst Free s. d. 1 8 3 3 6 6 3 Months, Post Free 12 s. 11 d. 2 9 S 6 o 410 Cheques and Post Office Orders should be made payable t» the Proprietors of FLIGHT, 44, St. Martin's Lane, W.C, and crossed London and County Bank, otherwise no responsibility will be accepted. Should any difficulty be experienced in procuring FLIGHT frtn weal newsvendors, intending readers can obtain each issue direct from the Publishing Office, by forwarding remittance as above.
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