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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 0670.PDF
fiML AUGUST 5, 1911. THE BLACKBURN MONOPLANE. AMONG the British firms early in the aeroplane industry, the Blackburn Co., of Leeds, is now achieving a success that is the reward of steady perseverance. Their machines have been flying particularly well lately over the Filey sands, and it is interesting, therefore, to supported on a Farman type wheel and skid combination, but the skids have a narrow track of only five feet and the body is supported above them by a very substantial multiple " A " frame, which gives great rigidity and strength to the fore part of the machine. The Blackburn monoplane in flight. publish at this moment the accompanying illustrations showing their general lines and constructive detail. Broadly speaking, the Blackburn monoplane must be classified as belonging to the Antoinette type, its dihedral double-surfaced wings, boat-like covered body, and general arrangements of the tail members being superficially similar to this prototype. In detail, however, the apparent similarity disappears to give place to marked originality of constructive work. A mere glance at the accompanying full page drawing is sufficient to indicate at least one decided departure from Antoinette practice in the use of an under-carriage of altogether different design. The Blackburn monoplane is The skids, it will be observed, are carried sufficiently far forward to protect the propeller, which is of unusually large diameter owing to the use of an Isaacson stationary radial engine, one of the features of which is, as our readers are aware, the combination of the engine with a half-speed reduction-gear for the propeller-drive. From the point of view of protecting the propeller, the utility of the strong " A " frame becomes still more apparent, for it will be noticed how little overhang there is to the toe of each skid. The body of the machine is triangular in section and tapers towards the tail aft of the pilot's seat. It is built throughout of ash in the form of an openwork lattice girder, the vertical and diagonal struts being carefully butted against the longitudinal booms so as to make a thoroughly sound job without the use of wire. When finished, the body is surfaced with fabric on the after part and with veneered wood in front. st.ACir&i'Rtf Sketch showing the control system of the Blackburn monoplane. 672 Sketch illustrating the very neat pulley arrange ment combined with a strut socket on one,!of the skids of the Blackburn monoplane.
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