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Aviation History
1912
1912 - 0357.PDF
APRIL 20, 1912. \fiMD Conducted by V. E. Model Flying on Public and Private Grounds. " IT is imperative that all models shall be fitted with a Protector over Motor Rod, such as a Wire or Cane Loop."—Extract *ro»i Kite and Model Aeroplane Association Utiles. Model aeroplane protector. Yet another common (or public model flying ground) has just been closed to aeromodellists in the vicinity of London, owing to a child being hit on the head and injured by an unprotected model. But very few now remain, and unless vigorous action is taken at once, there will very soon be none at all. Aeromodellists have simply themselves initially to blame for what has occurred. One ground after another has been closed, and almost invariably the cause has been the same. There is no case on record of anyone—child or adult —having sustained the slightest injury when the model has been fitted with a proper protector, as shown in the photograph. The protector shown is of cane ; steel wire is even better, being stronger, and if covered with a piece of rubber valve tubing makes an ideal protector. Even from the aeromodellist's point of view of mere machine efficiency and protection, the use of such is to be advocated ; the additional weight and head resistance are practically nil, and in actual landing many a smashed rod may be saved, for such a pro tector forms an admirable skid as well. Under the above circumstances one would naturally expect the employment of such to be universal, but such is by no means the case ; in fact, we believe it is not too much to say that it is the exception rather than the rule. A few days ago we were in the model aeroplane department of a large emporium. Not a single model on sale so far as we could see was so filed with a protector, except some tractor screw models carrying a front loop for propeller protection. In other words, anyone buying one of these models and taking them on to a public ground and flying them, became at once a source of danger to the public. Aeromodellists complain of the action of the Conservators and Councils in closing the commons to them, and talk a great deal about the illegality of so doing. We venture to say that if in the first instance proper care and forethought had been exercised by the aeromodellists themselves, such action would not have been taken, for the simple reason that there would have been no excuse for such. A model aeroplane unfitted with a proper protector both can be and is a source of injury both to itself, the flyer thereof and last, but not least, to the spectator. In a question of this kind we con sider absolutely plain speaking to be the best in the long run. It does not matter in the least that you can prove by probability that the ohances of a spectator having his eye knocked out are seven million, three hundred and fifty-four thousand, three hundred and two to one, againslhh becoming one-eyed. Probability will not give him a new eye—not even a glass one. Pilots of full sized machines are not allowed to fly in a manner dangerous to the public—if they do so they at once are made to know the consequences. The fact of the matter is that the question of models has not yet been properly dealt with. A club or a number of aeromodellists have come on to some common or public ground and flown their models—some, we are afraid most of them, unprotected. After a time—it may be brief or it may be a long time—the inevitable result is bound to happen, someone—usually a child—being hurt, and the ground is thereafter forbidden. The Conservators or 357 JOHNSON, M.A. governing body have simply taken the short cut in a matter which, being of a novel character, and one with which, until properly explained to them, they could not possibly be eomjietent to deal— and forbidden all model flying. It is quite a natural action to take and we do not see what else could be exacted of them. It is perfectly useless for deputations from the Kite and Model Aeroplane Association to wait on the Conservators and Councils (as is being done) with a view to recovering lost privileges—whilst members of other clubs or private individuals go on flying unprotected models. Every aeromodellist who takes an unprotected model on a public ground and flies it is driving a nail—(it may lie only a tin-tack or it may be a good old six-inch wire nail) into the coffin of model aero- planing, and every model maker selling such a machine is doing exactly the same thing. The sue, or even weight, of the model is immaterial—a four-ounce or, for that matter, even a two-ounce unprotected model is just as likely to cause injury to your eye as one weighing as many pounds ; as a matter of fact, it is far more likely, for tin simple reason that an ordinary spectator clears out of the way of a large model, realising danger, whilst a small toy-model is treated with more or less contempt until it may ne too late. It is, of course, a well-known fact that a body moving straight towards you appears to be travelling at a far less velocity than it actually is. Comparisons have been drawn between the dangers attending such games as golf, football, cricket, &c, and model aeroplane flying—such comparisons ought never to have been made. In the first place there is no danger if the model be properly protected. In the second place it is of course a well-known fact—a fact known to all spectators as well as players—that either or both do run certain risks in these games—such being the case—so far as is possible due precautions are taken. Ordinary spectators know nothing about model aeroplanes in nine ca»es out of ten and are just as likely to let one hit them as not. The thing is small, light—apparently travelling quite slowly—(though if flying with the wind the velocity may be well over 30 miles an hour) and why trouble to move—or at any rate there is no need to move yet; movement does come—but too late and the harm is done ; always be it noted from any unprotected model. The remedy is perfectly simple—the passing of bye-laws by Conservators and Council not for the prohibition of model living on public grounds but for the fining- of every acrommicllist Jlying un protected models. Under such conditions as these all public grounds can be once more opened to aeromodellists—under, of course, certain and suitable restrictions as in the case of every other sport or game. In our opinion, nothing more disastrous has happened to the cause of model-aeroplaning, and those interested in it—whether pro fessionally or otherwise—than this closing down of public flying grounds. Remove model flying from the public gaze and you remove it at once from the public mind ; for no saying is truer than " Out of sight, out of mind." Its advantage as a public educator in the cause of aviation generally is at once lost, and its value as an asset in the national progress of the country becomes practically speaking nil. We have an exact parallel to the example of the unprotected model aeroplane in the case of the unprotected prow in the racing rowing boat. Many years ago now, when the writer was an undergraduate at Cam bridge—in one of the Lent Bumping Races—a fatal accident occurred owing to this cause, as a natural consequence, the prow of every boat has since been protected by a rubber bail or some such device, and the repetition of such an occurrence been rendered impossible. Pre vention is always better than cure. Model Flying on Private or Club Grounds. In this case club members may have a right to please themselves as to whether they fly protected or unprotected machines. But the question is not even in this case one of right but of wisdom and expediency—moreover, as soon as spectators or non-club members are present they have at once the right to claim that every possible precaution be taken on their behalf. Half measures have always proved worse than useless in settling any question of this kind. What is required is the immediate and universal adoption (no matter where or by whom flown) of the protected model only. It may please certain aeromodellists to demonstrate the wonderful strength possessed by their unprotected
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