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Aviation History
1912
1912 - 0713.PDF
.in ii. nmi—«!w —— AUGUST 3, 1912. t/ycRf] Conducted by The Power-Driven Model Contest at Hendon. THE Grahame-White power-driven competition for models rising from the ground under their own power—the moiive power being either steam, petrol or carbonic acid gas—only brought forward five entrants. Of these, three failed to put in an appearance, and in the end there were only two competitors—Mr. Stanger, with his petrol- driven model, and Mr. Desoutter, with his Nieuport model and COo plant. The former failed to quit the ground, one of the cylinders refusing to behave itself properly, and Mr. Desoutter was left the winner with two short flights of about 8 and 12 sees, respectively —the latter of which ended somewhat disastrously for the machine, in a propeller splintered into three pieces, a buckledup chassis, and a broken fuselage. We give this week an illustration of Mr. H. H. Groves' well-known steam-driven model /tors de combat. The model has, however, since been repaired, and is once more ready to do battle with the elements. There always comes a time to everyone experimenting with power-driven models flying, or intended to fly, over land, when he must invariably ask himself, is the game worth the candle ? Personally I candidly admit that I do not think it is, and I know that I am not alone in that opinion. Mr. Groves is turning his attention to power-driven model hydroplanes (hydroplanes not hydro-aeroplanes) and before we had received his letter we had decided to do the same thing—although not with the same end in view. From the power - driven hydroplane—to the power - driven hydro-aeroplane is but a step and it is in this direction that we look for the development of the power-driven model, i.e., model motor boats, model hydroplanes, model hydro-aeroplanes. The reason is almost too obvious to require stating—given a large enough sheet of water—the power-driven model hydro-aeroplane has always the same even and yielding surface on which to descend—however badly it may alight—the damage is likely to be only slight—whereas mother earth is not unfrequently wondrous hard and rugged. There are, we know from personal experience, plenty of aeromodellists about—who hold the opinion quite freely expressed that if they had only a good power plant—they would soon overcome all difficulties of stability and landing. In a matter of this kind it is, however, perhaps best to do it first and talk about it afterwards. The Desoutter Power Plant for Models. Previous to seeing Mr. C. Desoutter's model at Hendon, we had seen and tested the plant at 12, New Burlington Street, W., where it can now be obtained. The results which we obtained with it were in every respect perfectly satisfactory. There is no difficulty in obtaining with it a duration of from three-quarters of a minute to a minute at a sufficient thrust to fly a suitable well-built model. The following particulars re Mr. Desoutter's model and plant will, we feel sure, prove of especial interest to our readers : Weight of engine, including 27 ins. propeller, J lb. ; weight of COo cylinder fully charged, 2J lbs. ; weight of regulator, including hot-water cylinder (full), lib." Working at a 4 lbs. thrust, the duration is 40 sees., and E. JOHNSON, M.A. working at a 3 lbs. thrust the duration is about a minute [this we have personally verified]. This duration could, of course, be extended by carrying more than one cylinder, two such on a well-constructed model could undoubtedly be carried. In the case of a longer duration no doubt some form of automatic regulator would have to be employed— just the same as I have found necessary in the case of a flash boiler steam-driven plant. The first flight obtained with a Desoutier plant was in (above all places in the world) George Street, Hanover Square. The model was a one-quarter scale two-seater Nieuport (see illustration). The cylinder was of spun copper and not capable Mr. H. H. Groves' steam model hors de combat. The photograph was taken prior to the model being moved in any -way. of sustaining a very high pressure. The test applied by Mr. Desoutter was, we believe, the making of a dent in the copper and when the dent flattened out—under pressure—he thought it unwise to try more, a method perhaps not highly scientific but certainly ingenious. The flight already referred to ended in a collision with railings and was about 90 ft. in length. The type of engine, as can be seen from the illustration, is a single cylinder—double acting. The stroke is 32 mm., the bore 35 mm. The material magnalium and steel. The complete weight of the model in flying condition, 8 lbs. ; span, 8 ft. 6 ins. ; area of main plane, 10 sq. ft. ; area of non-lifting tail, 2\ sq. ft. ; diameter of propeller, 27 ins. ; pitch of propeller, 22 ins. The short duration of the first flight at Hendon was due to the model rising too steeply, the model being over-elevated. In the second flight this was corrected, but the regulator was not quite in MR. C. DESOUTTJiR'S MODEL NIEUPORT.—On the left enlarged view of the chassis, motor, &c, and on the 1 right the Desoutter engine. 713
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