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Aviation History
1912
1912 - 0525.PDF
and landed perfectly. [Perhaps Mr. Burghope will kindly explain the apparent discrepancies in his remarks re lifting and non-lifting tails.] It is preferable to make use of a vertical rudder to overcome motor torque and for steering purposes than to employ wing warping, and as in all self-rising tractor models the wheels should be well in front of centre of gravity. The Birmingham v. London Contest. This contest held at Greenford on Whit-Monday was undoubtedly in many respects a very successful one. The visitors from Birming ham were not able, however, to hold their own against any of the three London clubs represented in the contest. The final results being : Blackheath, first, with an excellent average of 58 sees, ; Paddington next, with 4SA sees. ; then Ealing, with 40J sees. ; and lastly, Birmingham, with 35 J sees. Each club was representated by five "flyers," the best of three flights alone counted, and the total of these five averaged for each club. Five flights of a minute and upwards were made, the longest being that of A. F. Houlberg (Ealing), viz.: 80sees. The shortest flight was 2 sees. Five flights of 10 sees, and under were also made. The machines flown by the London clubs were all twin-propeller ones, of the Birmingham Club (if we remember correctly) one was a twin, but the reft had single-propellers. It was evident that these latter, under favourable circumstances, i.e., in a calm could have given a much better account of themselves. But in a contest of this character, it is just these favourable conditions which cannot be relied on; and the mistake, in our opinion, made by the Birmingham club was that they did not bring to the contest what one might term a set of fighting models, but fair weather machines, and although the day could not possibly be considered an unfavourable one from an aero- modelist's point of view, the breeze was certainly, like all breezes, more or less gusty, and unless your machine can fight such success fully, you are placed at a decided disadvantage ; generally speaking the stability shown by the models was not especially good, the chief factor relied on in the case of the twin-propeller driven models being speed, a very important factor truly, but one which, if an attempt be made to apply it similarly to the case of full-sized prototypes, would necessitate an impossible speed, more especially, of course, with respect to the landing. New Official Record. After the competition Mr. A. F. Houlberg, of the Ealing and District Aero Club, made an officially observed flight of 89 seconds, the model landing in a tree or even this would have been surpassed, a record which will probably take some beating. This model was, in our opinion, one of the few models which showed good stability. The following are a few particulars regarding it: type O—I—I—P""*, diameter of propellers 9J, ins., ijoz, of rubber, 9strands, ,',,in. strip. Total weight 44 ozs. Material American whitewood. Fabric proofed silk. This model also made on the same day flights of 71, 67 and 80 sees. res)>ectively so there is nothing of the nature of a fluke in this new record and it was certainly not in the slightest degree assisted by the nature of the ground. British Model Firms and Coming Competitions. Amongst the competitions arranged for this season are several hydro-aeroplane contests and at least one ornithopter competition. So far as we can learn no British firm has either on the market, nor have we heard of any about to put them on. The French have both, over here in London at any rate, British firms complain of lack of support amongst the more leisured classes, the fact of the matter being that such have grown tired of the ordinary type of model ; but are no doubt quite ready to be interested in something of a novel character which if they want they must perforce purchase of French origin ; and with regard to which it would appear that we are about to have happen precisely the same thing as occurred in the original type of model, unless the home firms bestir themselves pretty smartly. To be first in the field is everything. Insufficient Information. A correspondent writes : "lam thinking of building a model for a petrol engine about lA-h.p., what would be the best size of machine to build for this kind of engine ? Also, would 1 in. square wood be strong enough ? Would a monoplane fly with this kind of engine and weight of machine and size of propeller ?" If " Hawk " will forward omitted information such as total weight of plant, weight of machine, size of propeller, ike, we shall then be in a better position to reply to his queries. A bench test with actual plant and a record of thrust given by a propeller of known diameter would be best of all. Again and again we have to ask fur fuller information, it would save an immense amount of delay and trouble if corre spondents would kindly supply it in the first place. Model Club for Leicester. C. W. Exley (33, London Road, Leicester), would be glad to see or hear from anyone interested in the above with a view to forming a model club in Leicester. ® ® ® ® THE KITE AND MODEL AEROPLANE ASSOCIATION. OFFICIAL Presentation of Prizes.—Mr. C. Grahame-White has kindly presented a trophy for power-driven models, for petrol, steam, or carbonic acid gas motors. The competition well be held at Hendon, on Thursday, July 25th, full details in programme, which will be sent on application (and enclosing a stamp for postage) to any reader. Visit to National Physical Laboratory.—By the courtesy of Dr. Glazebrook (Director of the Laboratory) the members paid a visit to Teddington on Saturday, June 1st. Col. F. C. Trollope, the president, accompanied the party, which left by the 1.45 train from Waterloo. Mr. Selby met the party on behalf of Dr. Glaze- brook, who had been called away on business. Inter-Club Duration Competition.—By request the Association sent official observers to this competition on Whit-Monday at Greenford, the results being: 1st, Blackheath, average 58 sees. ; ® ® PROGRESS OF FLIGHT Notes regarding Clubs must reach the Editor of FLIGHT, 44, St, MODEL CLUBS. Aero-Models Assoc. (N. Branch) (Sec, MALCOLM B. ROSS, 15, HIGHGATK AVENUE, N.). GOOD flying at Finchley, Saturday. Mr. B. Ross visited the Tractor meeting at Palmer's Green. Competition shortly for an antimony rose bowl, particulars later ; also of I mile relay race v. Palmer's Green and also inter-club match with Palmer's Green for duration. Birmingham Aero Club (Sees., R. COBHAM, G. H. WOOD. 8, FREDERICK ROAD, EDGBASTON). BEST week-end flight by Messrs. Trykle (85 sees.), G. Mason, G. Wilde, Rogers and Prosser, Inter-club contest with Coventry, distance and duration, June 8th, at Coventry, at 3.30. NOTICES. 2nd, Paddington, average 48|secs. ; 3rd, Ealing, average 40J sees, r 4th, Birmingham, average 35J sees. Messrs. V. E. Johnson and W. Evans being the observers. Official Trials.—Application forms for the next trials on 15th can be had on application and should be returned before June 12th to the hon. secretary. Official Record.—The duration record of 64 sees., held by Mr. II. Weston, was broken by Mr. A. E. Houlberg, on Whit-Monday, at Greenford, by a flight of 89 sees. Observers, Messrs. V. E. Johnson and W. Evans. Competitions.—The Model Engineer competition for duration to be held to-day (Saturday), on National Aviation Ground, Harrow. (Northholt Station.) W. H. AKEHURST, Hon. Sec. 27, Victory Road, Wimbledon. ® ® ABOUT THE COUNTRY. Martin's Lane, London, W.C., by first post Tuesday at latest. Blackheath Aero Club (Hon. Sec, A. E. WOOLLARD, 48, HAFTON ROAD, CATFORD, S.E.). DURING week-end flying at Grove Park by Mr. Eland (Victor), Mr. Attwoll ("A "-frame and single-stick), Mr. Woollard (0-1-1-2P), and Mr. Holland (tractor). The contest for to-day (Saturday) has been po?poned. Model Engineer competition to-day at Harrow. Flying at Grove Park during week-end, and Sunday morning a photograph of B.Ae.C. team will be taken on Blackheath at 7 o'clock. The postponed registration trials will take place July 13th. Brighton and District Model Aero Club (Hon. Sec, A. VON WICHMANN, " KINGSLBIGH," KINGSWAY, HOVE). AWARDS for Whitsuntide competitions as follows : Duration— J. W. Burghope, 55 sees, and out of sight; II. Bate, 45 sees, (later 525
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