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Aviation History
1913
1913 - 0297.PDF
MARCH 15, 1913. may, perhaps, to some extent explain the shortness of flight accomplished. But it is encouraging for human experimenters to be reminded of the fact that not only have birds, which are a race to themselves, accomplished flight, but that the same problem has also been solved by the bats, which are mammals, while in addition to these two successful aviators we have the flying fish. —When we consider the purely gliding action of the flying fish, the careful observation of his "wings" l/ycSr] becomes a subject of keen interest. It will be noticed that they are very flat, straight, rigid, and hardly at all cambered. In this respect they differ entirely from the feathered wings of all long-distance flying birds, which are curved upwards and inwards in front in a marked degree. In view of their comparatively small area for supporting the weight these "wings'" have to carry, a flying fish may claim to rank as a decidedly efficient " glider." ® ® ® ® AUSTRO-DAIMLER AERO MOTORS. AN interesting test was carried out in Rome recently on the new model 65-h.p. Austro-Daimler Aero Motor, ordered by the Battaglione Spezialisti. The test, as will be seen, was by no means as severe as might have been imposed and successfully passed by this excellent motor, but the ease with which the engine completed them marks the 65-h.p. Austro-Daimler as an extremely reliable production and, moreover, one showing an unusually low fuel consumption. Concerning the Austro-Daimler aero engine there is scarcely any need to remind readers that it was their 120-h.p. model that assisted S. F. Cody in winning two " firsts" in the military aeroplane trials. The Grahame-White Co., Ltd., have purchased two, a 90-h.p. and a 120-h.p. model, the first of which is fitted to the new G.-W. military biplane at Hendon. Mr. T. O. M. Sopwith, too, has used the go-h.p. model Austro-Daimler in his new hydro- biplane, which was recently completed at his Kingston-on-Thames works, and was on view at Olympia. In accordance with the conditions of sale, the engine was subjected to the following tests in the presence of Capt. Scaparo •representing the Battaglione Spezialisti:— A run of four hours with full load on a fan brake (certified correct). Average number of revolutions per minute, 1,190. Brake horse-power developed 60-h.p. The itest was carried out strictly in accordance with the terms 01 the contract, that is to say, no special arrangements for cooling, by fan or other means used, and no adjustments were allowed to be made, except those which could be effected during actual flight. There were no stipulations in the contract regarding the consump tion of petrol and lubricating oil, nevertheless this was checked and was as follows:— Petrol, 60*95 kilos., 254 grammes per h.p. per hour. Lubricating oil, 2-3 kilos., 9*6 grammes |)er h.p. per hour. The first test was followed by a run of ij hours' duration at maximum output, obtained as before on the fan brake (certified correct). Average numl>er of revolutions per minute Ii330. Brake hor8e-*x>wer developed 7**5-h.p. Petrol consumption, 25*07 kilos., 235 grammes per h.p. per hour. Lubricating oil, "85 kilos., 8 grammes per h.p. hour. The third test was carried out with the engine inclined at an angle of 15° with full load. At the test bench apparatus was not suitable for taking a test with the engine at an angle (the bearing of the fan brake being fixed in the masonry of the wall), this test was carried out with a propeller fitted in the same manner as on an aeroplane. The Battaglione Spezialisti declared themselves satisfied with this method of carrying out the test. The engine ran for half an hour under these conditions quite regularly and without a stop. The engine, having satisfactorily fulfilled all the conditions of the contract, was duly accepted. Col/Seely, the British Mlaister for War, lust before his flight at the military aviation ground at Madrid with Capt. Barron in a Bristol biplane. 303 C 2
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