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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 0502.PDF
[/UGHT JUNE IO, 1911, AN AUSTRALIAN PIONEER AND CONSTRUCTOR. WRI'IINO from Spring Plains, Mia Mia, Victoria, Mr. J. K. Duigan sends us some very interesting particulars and photographs of his pioneer work in Australia which has ended in his construction of a successful biplane. Mr. Duigan tells his story thus:—"I am sending a couple of photos of two recent flights I made here with a machine built entirely by myself with the exception of the engine. I have been working on it for about two years now, having to do all my own experimenting, make all fittings, wheel gears, propeller- shaft, as well as design it all. The wheel gear was originally sprung but not trailing, and this caused the only two breakages I have had. Since altering it to trailing I have had 25 flights, most over loo yards, many over 200, and three of about a quarter of a mile, the only damage being two slightly bent plunger rods on one landing due to the piston sticking. The springs are compressed air. My engine was built here, originally being a 4-cyl. vertical air-cooled 86 by 108 mm., and weighing about IJ5 lbs. Since then I fitted water-cooled heads, which was an improvement, but the power was not great enough, so I fitted larger cylinders, 94 mm., with same heads, and this has given the flights shown. I have had endless difficulties, but have managed to over come them all, and have made a machine that will lift in about 50 yards, and is under perfect control and can be trusted to always land safely. The machine is 25 ft. wide and about 28 ft. long, and weighs with 10-stone operator about 620 lbs. Engine is 138 lbs., 1 gal. water 10 lbs., radiator, centrifugal (all designed and made by myself), 7 lbs., piping 2 lbs. ; total of engine and water-cooling 165 lbs. Propeller, shaft, stays to take pull of chain, and thrust-stays, about 40 lbs. This leaves 275 lbs. for the machine, minus engine and operator, which is light as it is all ash with the exception of the ribs, and is all double-surfaced with Dunlop material, made here. " Both photos were taken when the machine was about no yards from starting-point. All the calculations were based on Sir H. Maxim's figures given in his excellent book on artificial and natural flight, and that book has been all I have had to work on. " I have been a subscriber to your paper for over a year now, but have not previously sent any photos. The machine is very different now in appearance to when first completed. My first successful controlled flight was on October 7th, 1910, when I flew 196 yards- at a height oi about 12 feet. I had had hops long before that but the machine was not quite under control. That 196 yards flight was the first successful flight by an Australian built machine. The Mr. J. R. Duigan, the Australian aeroplane pioneer- constructor and flyer. engine also was made in Melbourne by J. E. Tilly, a motor engineer. The ground I use for flying limits me to a bit over a quarter of a mile and there is no other in the district, so I have done about all I can do now. At present I am considering my next move, which may possibly be in your direction." AN AUSTRALIAN BIPLANE —Mr. J. R. Duigan in flight upon his Australian-built biplane at Mia Mia in Victoria. The machine is about 100 yards from starting point in left-hand photo and 110 yards in right-hand one. The small plane at rear is connected to elevator. The propeller is 8 ft. 6 ins. diameter and 10 ft. pitch, is driven by J-in. Brampton chain, gear 19 teeth and 42. Ordinary Bosch cycle magneto, two brakes, 4-cyl. motor, Schebler carburettor, with inlet-pipe bored out. Touring by Balloon. TAKING part in the Royal Aero Club Point-to-Point Balloon Race was but an incident in the performance made by the Conti nental Tyre Co.'s balloon "Hannover,'' which was piloted by Consul Stollwerck. Leaving Hurlingham on Saturday week the *' Hannover " first landed within 34 miles of the objective in the point-to-point race and thus secured the second place. Later in the day the lialloon re-ascended and then went on to just outside Dean Station, near Salisbury, where another descent was made. The inhabitants towed the balloon into the village so that the passengers were enabled to alight outside the hotel, where the balloon was anchored for the night. At S o'clock the next morning the same ® r? passengers took their places in the basket, and continuing the journey, the balloon followed the coast for about three hours and then moving inland passed over Exeter at one o'clock, while a final landing was made at Challow Park, about 7 miles west of Exeter, an hour later. The great feature of this trip was undoubtedly the demonstration of the possibility of anchoring a balloon for the night and being able to continue the journey with the same passengers the next morning. In the instance under review only seven bags of ballast were taken on board at the start and con sidering the length of time the balloon was in use the performance reflects very creditably on the gas-tightness of the Continental, fabric. 50 +
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