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Aviation History
1912
1912 - 0358.PDF
[JEGHT APRIL 20, 1912, frames, but the proper and safe place to test such is against a brick wall or a stout fence or some place where no possible damage can ensue save to the frames themselves. The indiscriminate club flying of a number of models at the same time (far too common) should be at once suppressed. You can keep your eye on one model and keep the model out of your eye, but you cannot most certainly do so when half-a-dozen are going all over the place at the same time. The matter is both urgent and pressing, and calls for immediate and vigorous action. Second Official Tests. The second series of officially recorded trials for distance and duration, held under the auspices of the Kite and Model Aeroplane Association, took place on April 10th, on the private flying ground (Parkside, Sudbury) of the Paddington and District Aero Club— both the records set up at the first trials were beaten. The pevious duration record of 60 seconds (made by Mr. C. R. Fairey) by Mr. K. K. Weston, of the Paddington and District Aero Club, in a really excellent flight of 64 seconds. The model climbed well and reaching an altitude of certainly not less than a hundred feet had the advantage of the consequent glide to earth at the end of the flight. The distance record (held by Mr. R. F. Mann) of 320 yards was surpassed by Mr. G. Rowlands whose best flight of 398 yards (distance due to wind velocity deducted) was practically speaking in a straight line. It was a very fine flight indeed. Mr. Rowlands' first flight was very nearly as good, viz., 389 yards. Actual distances flown 425 yards, 4264 yards, the wind velocity, as will be noticed, was therefore very slight indeed. No third flight was made by Mr. Rowlands. Mr. C. R. Kairey made three very good duration flights, differing by less than three seconds, but was unable to improve on his previous official record. A very creditable duration of 50 sees, was put up Mr. R. Stedman with a very neat biplane, which flew really well. Why do we not see more of this most interesting type of model ? Mr. W. S. Evans' model was undoubtedly capable of a far better duration than half a minute, if tuned up more ; it was certainly not at concert pitch. A very amusing incident occurred towards the close of the trials, during a very quiet interval in the official proceedings. A voice hoarse with indignation was suddenly heard to shout (" roar" would almost be a more correct interpretation) from the rear: " She's NOT upside down" ; instantly all in front spun round like a teetotum, and there in the fast gathering gloom was seen a swiftly circling model—which was " not" after all upside down. Further details are unnecessary—any competent aeromodellist can mentally picture the whole thing. Distance Records. Mr. J. W. Burghope (hon. sec. Brighton Aero Model Club), writing re the above, observes : " I quite agree that it is of little use putting them into club notices. Nobody cares outside the club concerned. Some evidently think distances are never measured. Perhaps they judge by themselves. We have a large scale map of Shoreham Aerodrome, with all the distances marked to nearest 2S yards. We always fly from one or two alternate places-owing to winds-and can tell pretty accurately with our map how far we flv We certainly do not measure to the inch. Some time ago we used 100-yard reels of thread, but soon gave it up for the map m<" In 'any case the distances are of little interest Everybody knows a decent model will fly 400 yards. Personally I am sick of flvine ' elastick.' They are so monotonous m their performances, you build the 1—1—P2 and know it will fly almost at once with but little tuning up. Consequently I have gone back to the tractor •scale' type They are extraordinarily interesting after the fashionable 1—I—P2. I am convinced it is possible to geta (more or less) scale model to go up to 150 yards with rubber motors. Queries. The following queries have been sent in by a correspondent, and as they are of somewhat exceptional interest we shall be pleased to hear what some of our readers have to say with respect to them ; they are:— _, . , 1. In a twin-screw model of the usual type, 1-1-PMJ, which of the two directions for propeller revolution is best, and why ? (a) In which the tops of the propeller revolve inwards ; (b) in which the tops revolve outwards. 2. In a model.designed to rise from the ground under- its^own ELEVATOR 1—t ELEVATOR power, which position of the chassis, shown in the sketch, is (con sidered the best and most efficient for an A frame. — t 3. Lately I have been watching some ducks rising from the bank of a river flying some distance and then alighting on the surface of the water. Just before they alight—when about 12 ins. off the surface—they stop flapping, extend their wings to their fullest extent and drop their feet, at the same time expanding the webs and placing them so that they will strike the water at a slight elevation. After a short glide they alight and cause a large disturbance on the surface of the water. Is this because of the inefficiency of their webs as hydroplanes or of the large weight of the duck's body as compared with its small wing area ? AERONAUTICAL ® ® ® ® SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN. OFFICIAL NOTICES AS SUPPLIED BY THE SECRETARY. Programme of Meetings to be held at the Royal United Service Institution. April 29th, Monday, 6.30 p.m. ; Chairman, Dr. W. N. Shaw, F.R.S. Capt. C. H. Ley, F.R. Met. Soc, on Aerial Topography. May 16th, Thursday, 8.30 p.m. ; F. H. Bramwell, on National Physical Laboratory Research. Military and Naval Course.—A series of three papers on military and naval subjects will be delivered at the R.U.S.I. on the following Wednesdays, May 29th, June 12th, and June 26th. Particulars will be announced later. Informal Meetings.—Informal meetings for the discussion of set subjects are held at the Society's Offices, II, Adam Street, Adelphi, on Mondays, from 5 p.m. :— April 22nd.—Bleriot's report on monoplanes. May 6th.—Atmo spherical conditions at the Hendon aerodrome. May 13th.— Double-engined aeroplanes. Chairman.—Major-General R. M. Ruck has been elected Chairman of the Council for 1912. Election of Members.—The following have been elected members of the Society: H. D. Carey, Sir George Greenhill, F.R.S., L L. Hodgon, B.Sc, A.M.I.C.E. Vice-President.—The Most Hon. the Marquis of Tullibardine has accepted the invitation of the Council to become a vice-president of the Society. 358 Election of Associate Fellows.—The next election of Associate Fellows will be held in June next. The last day for the receipt of applications will be Tuesday, May 28th, and the result of the election will be declared on Wednesday, June 12th. Application forms may now be obtained from the Secretary, and it should be noted that it is not necessary that the applicants should be members of the Society. Students.—Students attending regular science, engineering, or aeronautical courses at recognised technical colleges, as well as those pursuing the scientific side of aeronautics professionally, are eligible for the Student's section, and should apply immediately if desirous of being admitted without entrance fee. The studentship is a branch of the technical side of the Society, which affords a technical status to those admitted thereto. Students may attend all meetings, receive the Society's publications, are admitted at half the usual membership fee, and are exempt from payment of entrance fee on transferring to the Associate Fellowship. Foreign Members.—Residents abroad are advised of a new rule by which they can be admitted to membership at half the usual subscription and without entrance fee, i.e., at £1 is. per annum. Library.—Messrs. A. V. Roe have kindly presented lantern slides of their Avro biplane and aquaplane to the Society's Library. T. O'B. HUBBARD, Secretary.
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