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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 1122.PDF
"1 DECEMBER 30, 1-911. PARIS AERO SHOW. PARIS AERO SALON.—Another general view, showing the Astra-Torres dirigible. The Roger Sommer exhibit is to the front of the photograph, while behind it is the Nieuport stand. of C section, so provided to strengthen the body to withstand the extra strains imposed upon it by the motor—a 100-h.p. six-cylinder Chenu. This latter drives an 8-ft. Astra tractor screw through reduction gearing. Radiators for the cooling of the motor are disposed on each side of the body in the neighbourhood of the middle seat. The main planes, double surfaced, are built up cellular fashion and are so constructed that they may be detached, leaving a centre section about 7 ft. in width in order that the machine may be easily transported along the road. Warping is employed for the correction of lateral balance, this being carried out on the Wrights' system, under whose licence the Astra machines are made. The landing gear is somewhat reminiscent of Antoinette practice, and has the triple advantage of being simple, strong and presenting little head resistance. Landing shocks are taken by a large diameter Oleo pneumatic spring that forms the centre unit of the chassis. In common with many other types of landing gear at the Salon, no provision has been made to relieve any strains resulting from a sideways movement of the machine on landing, and the fact that so many designers are apparently ignoring this detail, which has hitherto been deemed a most important one, seems to demonstrate that the constructional difficulties of obtaining this accommodation for sideways strains altogether outbalances any advantages that might accrue from its adoption. Command is maintained over the controlling surfaces from dupli cated controls arranged for the use of the occupants of the two rear seats. The duty of the occupant of the forward seat is to act as observer and for this purpose he ib most conveniently placed. There was also exhibited on the Astra stand a dirigible nacelle equipped with two Chenu motors, each of 100-h. p. Principal dimensions, &c. :— Length 36 ft. : Weight ... 1,540 lbs. Span 40 ,, Speed ... 56 m.p.h. Area 528 sq. ft. ' Motor ... 100-h.p. Chenu. Price £1,120. L. Bleriot. FOUR monoplanes are on view on this stand, the 70-h.p. two- seater, which Hamel has popularised in England, the familiar Ifijcm Astra. THIS interesting three-seater tractor biplane, which made its appearance in the French aviation arena just prior to the Military Trials at Rheims, gives me an impression of immense strength, solidity, and power when compared with those light speed craft Front of the Astra biplane, showing the general disposition of the under-carriage. which form such a great percentage of the exhibits at the Salon. Its fuselage, which is divided and made detachable for convenience of transport at a point to the rear of the pilot's seat, is triangular in section, and built throughout in ash, with the exception of the forward portion, which is cross-strutted with drilled-out steel struts 11 30
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