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Aviation History
1912
1912 - 0619.PDF
JULY 6, 1912. [/yCHT work in place of the silk, but will be considerably heavier. Celluloid, like silk, has the advantage of being transparent. As to varnish, we do not recommend shellac varnish—it is quite unsuitable for silk, and is too dry and chippy ; a good slow drying varnish should be used. Personally we have found the Bragg-Smith varnish excellent for the purpose ; two coats should be given and on no account should the second be given before the first is quite dry. Test the float after the first coat. Considerable trouble must be taken in putting on the silk to get it quite taut, use fairly thick glue as an adhesive. Varnish the wooden framework before putting on the silk. The entire model must also be well varnished, including the wings. In place of wire use Japanese silk gut, or if you use wire keep it well oiled. The floats are best attached by light rubber bands in the preliminary experiments, when much adjustment will be necessary. Use fine pitch propellers, and preferably choose a calm day for your initial attempts. Replies in Brief. M. B. Ross.—We will try to do as you suggest shortly. C. B. WILKINSON.—On no account use a reducing gear ; if you must employ cogs simply use two, one on propeller shaft. The motor torque is neutralised in the latter case. A. B. CLARK.—Shall be pleased to use same as soon as possible. F. H. HAUTHORN. —We regret the photo is too small for repro duction. L. G. RYLAY.—We hope to be able to make some use of the photos you have sent later on. FLYING FOX (Norfolk).—Your queries are practically answered in last and this week's issues. J. S. GORDON.—Many thanks for interesting drawings ; as you will see the subject is being dealt with at some length. F. OAKHAM.—It would be best for you to consult Mr. T. W. K. Clarke ; there is considerable risk of attending such experiments ; it would be most unwise to proceed without having the advice of a practical builder. L. S. LATHORP.—Your two letters to hand; in reply to your queries, (1) satin walnut, (2) a good varnish. Mr. Bragg Smith's is excellent for the purpose, we cannot tell you its constituents. Since there has not yet been any real International meeting there cannot, properly speaking, be any world's record. H. DAVIS.—We much regret we cannot trace the photos to which you refer. G. A. HILL REID.—SO far it has been impossible to arrange such a meeting as you suggest, even with France, let alone America. The K. and M. A. A. is not in a position, at present at any rate, to undertake any such task. D. C. YOUNG.—Many thanks for your interesting letter, but do- not devote too much of your attention to one type. K. GODDARD.—We are afraid we have no time to go any further into this matter ; it rests with yourselves. We are glad to hear you have given up flying sticks, and passed on to something better. ^ „ W. A. B.—Your stability device is very similar to the Bragg Smith one, but in our opinion inferior to it, and constructionally far more difficult to produce. N. V. BRASNETT.—The Association cannot do anything in the matter unless you are a member, or belong to an affiliated club. Model Clubs for Beckenham and Dartford. W. G. BLOE (15, Sydney Road, Beckenham), and A. B. (of 280, Lowfield Street, Dartford), are desirous of hearing from anyone in their respective districts with a view to forming a local model club. ® ® ® ® THE KITE AND MODEL AEROPLANE ASSOCIATION. OFFICIAL NOTICES. " Rotational" tail. After several attempts and various adjustments the experiment was successful, the model rising fairly quickly from the surface of the water and flying some fifty yards at a low altitude, when it quietly and yet quickly sat down on its tail as if it were tired. The tail (lifting type) was correctly adjusted for clearing the water, but not for a long flight in the air. The experiment was, however, quite successful as to showing the possibility of such an achievement; whether it is desirable is another matter. The chief difficulty experienced was in getting the floating tail to leave the water at the correct time ; generally speaking, it left it too soon and rose high in the air, with the result that the main float had its angle of incidence practically speaking annulled, and in consequence the machine failed to rise. At other times the floating tail merely served the purpose of a rudder, on more than one occasion causing it to describe circles of about six feet radius. On the whole, we are disposed to favour a tail and tail float rather than a floating tail. Whatever can be done in the case of a full-sized machine provided with a pilot we should certainly not advise the dispensing with the use of the rear float and the employment of fore floats only, the tail under such circumstances being far too lively. In other words, a rear or tail float is necessary to assist in damping out the vertical oscillations due to the constantly varying forces acting on the machine. The machine, if rubber driven, must rise quickly or it will not rise at all; roughly speaking, 15 to 20 ft. is, we should think, the limit, and 9 to 12 ft. is far preferable. Experiments with Floats. If a float shaped like that shown in last or this week's illustration be held at the bottom of a bath nearly full of water, at a small angle of inclination, it will rise and, at the same time, travel quickly through the water and reach the surface of the water at the far end. When the float illustrated in this week's issue was held vertically in water only 8 ins. in depth, it was found to leap clean out of the water to a height varying from one to two feet. A ping-pong ball under similar conditions failed to quit the surface of the water. If the floats illustrated are loaded and launched forwards and down wards into the water there is an initial dive, and under certain circumstances what can only be described as a powerful " kick back," sufficient to cause very great strains on the connections, and quite possibly wreck the machine. It is all important when landing that the nose of the float should not plunge under water, or a somer sault is almost a certainty. On a full-sized machine it would appear to be a great advantage if one set of floats (probably the aft) were so mounted that their angle of incidence could be varied by the pilot —by means of a lever or some suitable connection. Materials, &c. So far as models are concerned, the choice appears to lie between varnished silk and wood, and celluloid. The float shown in the illustration weighs 12 grammes; both the silk and wood float on water. We do not know the exact weight of a similar and equally strong float of celluloid, but we are about to construct one and will give the result next week. We expect the result to be heavier— celluloid sinks in water. Celluloid has certain advantages, viz., ease of construction, and it can also be made absolutely watertight. It can be strongly stuck together by means of the following mixture : Amyl acetate, 2 parts ; acetone, 1 part. Cost of this mixture about 3<£ an ounce. Sheet celluloid, in varying thicknesses, can be obtained from Messrs. Guithermann, 35, Aldermanbury, London. Referring to aluminium foil, this can be used on a wooden frame- Hand-launched British Model Records. ("Distance ... G.Rowlands ... 429 yards. 1 Duration ... A. F. Houlberg ... 89 sees. rxr „rr,,r,A /Distance ... H.R.Weston ... 26 yards. Utt ground Duration ... G.Rowlands .. 30 sees. Registration of Model Aeroplane Performances.—Next trials on the ground of the Blackheath Club on July nth at 3 p.m. Entries should be sent in at once. Visitors and competitors should note that the best means of reaching the ground is either by train to Hither Green from Charing Cross, then via Verdant Lane to the ground known as the Seven Fields, or by tram to Catford, thence via Bellingham Road and Verdant Lane. War Kite Squadron.—A special meeting of those interested was held on Thursday, June 27th, when amongst those present were the president, Col. F. C. Trollope, in the chair, Col. H. S. Massy, C.B., Lieut. Hallowes, R.N., Dr. Barton, Major Ford-Moore, Capt. Trapman, Mr. H. B. C. Pollard, Messrs. T. O'B. Hubbaid, G. P. Bragg Smith, &c. It was decided that the name should be the War Kite Squadron, and that one or more squadrons should be formed up at once. A publicity committee was formed, and a far- reaching Press campaign to raise the funds will be started. Anyone interested should send for particulars of the hon. sec, who will forward a rough draft of the proposed squadron. Donations are urgently needed for the patriotic object. Council Meeting.—The Council also met on Thursday, when there were present : Mr. V. E. Johnson, in the chair, Messrs. H. W. Browse, F. T. Pringuer, G. Rowlands, A. P. Thurston, G. P. Bragg Smith, and W. H. Akehurst. Letters from the various aeronautical editors were read, in which they expressed their willing ness to co-operate with the Council in putting a stop to the mis leading advertisements in their papers, and the hon. secretary was instructed to write thanking them. Rules for laboratory competi tions were discussed, but were deferred till next meeting before being finally confirmed. Competitions.—The amateur competition for models rising off the ground was held at Greenford on Saturday, June 29th, but owing to accidents to competitors' machines, &c, there were only a few starters, therefore only the second prize (presented by Messrs. Bonn 6l9
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