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Aviation History
1912
1912 - 1066.PDF
ffclGHT one which appears to us to have quite reached a standard of sufficient excellence to warrant us recommending it to the Editor as worthy of a Prize and a Certificate of Merit. P'or instance, a set of photo graphs of a model or models, no matter how good, is not sufficient in itself to merit any such reward. It would'be different if the set had some definite aim in view—the illustrating of some definite theory of wind-pressure, say on the upper and lower surfaces of a cambered plane, of some disputed point in stability, of propeller action, &c. In general the entries show a want of a definite aim in view. It is not sufficient to merely devise a paper glider, which is successful as such, without stating the reason why, or to send in a selection of the same, merely stating that such a one does so and so and another so and so, without drawing deductions from the experiments. Why is A successful and why is B not ? What can I conclude from a certain result and what from another ? From every experiment something can be deduced; unless this deduction be made, of what use making the experiment ? Of course, the deduction may not always be correct. Especially is this the case if made as the result of a single experiment. It is, therefore, always better, nay, necessary, to make the same experiment three or four times over and take the mean before making any deductions, as the chance of error is thereby much decreased. Some of the contributions scarcely came within the scope ot the Section. An interesting article on "Discing," for example. Another dealt with a method of making paper gliders non-hygro scopic by means of a certain chemical solution. Now, the very essence of a paper glider is not its permanence at all, but the fact that it can be constructed at a moment's notice out of almost any thing and used to illustrate some point in aerodynamics. We are also by no means convinced that the stiffening of a paper glider improves its gliding properties ; as a matter of fact, it is generally the reverse, and we have a very clear recollection of a lecturer who starched, or at any rate stiffened, his paper gliders before the lecture, with the idea of improving them, the result being that they glided like brick-bats. We are quite sure that there are plenty of our readers who are capable of forwarding something of the right sort, and as soon as it comes along we shall only be too pleased to write across it: recommended for the Flight Prize and Certificate of Merit, and pass it on to the Editor for his final consideration. We might just add that these prizes and certificates will only be awarded to amateurs and are not open to professional aero- modellists. NOVEMBER 16, 1912. Replies In Brief. W. W. FITZGERALD.—Scale drawings of the Etrich monoplane were given in a back number of FLIGHT. H. E. HERVEY.—Were your drawings washed in light and dark brown ; these bear no name or signature ? S. CAMM.—Am much afraid it is quite impossible to make the motor you mention successful; the only thing you can try is to heat the C02 in its passage from the reservoir to the motor. For an hydro-aeroplane, where extra power is needed, we regard it as quite useless, especially in so small a size. L. F. HUTCHEON.—The suggestion was not entirely humorous. Some years ago we propelled models by means of small rockets. The idea might be used to launch hydro-aeroplanes of somewhat large weight in proportion to their supporting surfaces. Certainly, continue your experiments, and later on we shall be pleased, if possible, to make use of your results. R. L. B. STEELE.—In reply to your first query, there is con siderable difference of opinion ; personally we consider the lifting tail preferable, at the same time we have also seen the other type exhibit excellent stability. In reply to your second query, the A or T frame, loaded elevator, twin-propeller type of some 3 ozs. to 4 ozs. weight, appears capable of flying, or at any rate of remaining up in the air until the power runs out, in practically any kind of wind. C. J. TEMPERLEY.—In reply to your first query, try a tractor- geared motor (two cogwheels of same number of teeth) and Centrale Propeller—biplane with straight wings—staggered. In reply to your second we regret we are not at liberty to give any such recipe, you must obtain it commercially. Try to start one—we do not agree with your friend. We propose dealing with joints, and later on the subject of propellers will be dealt with as well. J. REFOY.—If, as you state, you wi^h to sell your model, the best thing for you to do is to advertise it for sale. Personally we cannot do anything in the matter. . . span. W. T. CHANDLER.—In reply to query 2 : Aspect ratio is JCZZJ Span is the distance from tip to tip of the main supporting surface measured transversely (across) the line of flight. Chord is the distance between the entering (or leading) edge of the main supporting surface and the trailing edge of the same ; also defined as the fore and aft dimension of the main planes measured in a straight line between the leading and trailing edges. No. 1 is dealt with in December 16th, 1911 and January 20th, 1912 issues. In last-named for a = 450 read 45. KITE AND MODEL AEROPLANE ASSOCIATION. Official Notices. British Model Records. Hand-launched ...fgista°ce - A- |• WooHard ... 477 yards I Duration ... A. F. Houlberg ... 89 sees. Off ground (Distance ... G.Rowlands 232 yards. (.Duration ... A. F. Houlberg ... 51 sees. Hydro, off water ... Duration ... G. P. Bragg-Smith ... 25 sees. Single-tractor screw, f Distance ... H.R.Weston ... 84 yards. band-launched ... 1 Duration ... F. W. Jannaway ... 22 sees. Lecture. —On Friday, November 8th, the Association held a patriotic meeting at Caxton Hall, Westminster. Col. F. C. Trollope presided, and the lecture was delivered by Col. S. F. Cody on " What the Nation should do to stand First in Aviation." He gave a most interesting and instructive lecture on the needs of the nation. During the interval a righting appeal was made on behalf of the war kite squadron, by the Rev. Everard Digby, who staled that it was imperative that the nation should be as up-to-date as France, who already had recognised the importance of having a motor kite squadron. Among those present were Viscount Esher, chairman of the County ot London Territorial Association, Major-Gen. Ruck, Major-Gen. Arbuthnot, Col. H. S. Mason, Col. Smyth, Col. Stewart, Honble. Mrs. Leveson-Gower, Dr. Barton, A.F.Ae.S., MacGregor, C. Grey, T. Hamilton Fox, R. M. Balston, Messr: E. Trollope, &c> moat of whom have promised donations towards the squadron. War Kile SquaJron.—Donations towards this squadron are earnestly requested, and any donations will be gratefully accepted on behalf of the sq mdron by any of the Council, it being hoped that someone will come forward and subscribe for a complete section (which the Council will be pleased to name after the donor), such as Kite Section, Wireless and Telephone Section, or Gun Section. Model Section Aero Show.—Full details of this section it is hoped will be published in next issue, after the Council have met the Royal Aero Club Committee this Thursday. All clubs and members will have rules, &c., posted on at earliest moment. 27, Victory Road, Wimbledon. W. H. AKEHURST, Hon. Sec. ® ® ® ® MODEL CLUB DIARY AND REPORTS. CLUB reports of chief work done will be published monthly for the future. Secretaries' reports, to be included, must reach the Editor on the last Monday in each month. Aero-Models Assoc. (N. Branch) (15, HIGHGATE AVENUE, N.). NOVEMBER I6TH. Flying, Finchley, as usual. Illuminated flights at dusk. Hendon Model Aero Club (8, MONTAGU ROAD, W. HENDON). NOVEMBER I6TH. Monthly duration contest. Leytonstone and Districts Aero Club (64, LEYSPRING ROAD). NOVEMBER I6TH. Flying, Wanstead Flats (opposite brickfields). November 17th. Near Bushwood Avenue, 9.30. Reigate, Redhlll and District (8, BRIGHTON ROAD). NOVEMBER I6TH. Tractor trials (Earlswood). November 17th. Flying at " Wiggie." Scottish A.e.S. (" RoCHELLE," LlMESIDE AVENUE, RuTHERGLEN). NOVEMBER I6TH. Monthly competition, Paisley Racecourse. November 23rd. Hydro-aero competition, Alexandra Park. November 30th. Tractor competition sweepstake at Maxwell Park. December 7th. R.o.g. competition, Paisley Race- ® ® ® ® HYDRO-AEROPLANES AT MONACO. A FULL programm; has now been issued by the Sporting Club of Monaco giving details of the events for hydro-aeroplanei which are to be held at Monaco during the first fortnight in April next year. The machines will be on exhibition on the water on April 3rd, and from the 4th to the nth the eliminating trials will be carried out. The final events will be a race on April 12th over a course of 80 kiloms. from Monaco to San Remo, Monte Carlo, Beaulieu and Monaco, and on April 14th a 500 kilom. event over a 10-kilom. course in Monaco Bay. The eliminating tests include (1) starting up from the water, the engine being started without touching the propeller and with the sole aid of the passenger, if one is carried, and making a flight of about a hundred metres between two lines of buoys ; (2) altitude test, including rising to 500 metres and alighting on the water in less than thirty minutes ; (3) volplani test, rising to 100 metres and coming down with motor stopped ; (4) hoisting test, during which the machine would be hoisted by a derrick ; (5) towing test, during which the machine must be towed 100 metres by a rowing boat or motor boat; and (6) navigation test, in which the machine must cover on the water one round of the motor boat course 6-25 kiloms. During all the events two persons must be carried, or if the pilot elects to go alone he must take 70 kilogs. of ballast, the equivalent to the weight of a passenger. There will be five prizes ranging from 3,000 francs to 25,000 francs. Entries close on February 28th. IO66
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