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Aviation History
1913
1913 - 0313.PDF
MARCH 15, 1913. be reduced, and it would appear to be one of the necessary ac companiments of this type, since, in order to assure that an adequate quantity of air will pass over the cylinder, they must be arranged in fan or radial fashion. For low machine speeds, stationary cylinders are almost impossible, and render the use of the rotary engine essential, but with higher speeds now em ployed, a radial or semi-radial motor can be successfully fitted. Air-cooled Vee engines, or any other type of engine in which the cylinders are arranged in line, should not be used unless a system of fan-cooling is adopted (as in the Renault), since the leading cylinders obscure those that follow, and do not allow of effective cooling. In regard to the water-cooled engines, that type will offer least resistance which has the least exposed area in the direction of motion, and the smoothest exterior. This is in favour of the vertical engine, since it can be more efficiently enclosed with a casing having a stream line formation. Vibration.—Little fault can be found with most engines in regard to balance on account of the care taken during manufacture to ensure the uniform distribution of weight, but the absence of fly-wheels on many stationary motors and hence the reliance which must be placed upon the propeller for uniformity of torque calls for a few remarks. In cars the variation in the torque transmitted from the engine is largely absorbed in the elastic deformation of the transmission gear and the stressing of the tyres, and excess or deficiency above or below the mean energy required to propel the car are thereby compensated for. But when the conditions are such as those under which the aeronautical engine is most frequently employed, namely, when the propeller is directly coupled to the engine, the variation in torque will tend to accelerate or decelerate the rotating parts, thus conducing to the inefficient working of the propeller by augmenting the "slip." It is not at all improbable that this is one of the reasons why the rotary engine has been so successful, for it is Well known that they do not develop within 10 per cent, of their rated horse power, yet stationary engines of equal rated power, have, in many instances, failed to produce superior results. Accessibility.—Opinions differ as to the extent to which pro vision should be made in this respect, but there would appear to be no reason why adequate access should not be given to valves and to the interior of the crank-case. With many of the engines now used for aeronautical purposes it is necessary practically to dis mantle the valve gear in order to examine the valves, and in the case of rotary engines, to remove the cylinders. It is true that a cylinder of, say, a Gnome engine, can be dismounted in 20 mins., but seven cylinders will absorb 2 hrs. and 20 mins. at least, and on account of the excessive oil consumptions of this class of engine frequent attention to the inlet valve, upon which so much depends, is very necessary. As regards other parts of the motor, the principal point to bear in mind is the abolition of a large number of small screws or bolts and nuts for the attachment of parts, while it should be possible to effect the removal of, say, the bottom half of the crank-case without disturbing any portion of the gear other than that which is actually carried on that half, and this should be of limited extent. Silence and Cleanliness.—All working parts should be totally enclosed and be automatically or mechanically lubricated, otherwise trouble may arise from this cause. Considerable success has attended the efforts of designers of automobile engines to silence the valve actuating mechanism by enclosing these parts and im proving the details, but with many aeronautical engines there is ample room for improvement, as the form of gear resembles a type that has been long discarded in road vehicles on account of the chatter and vibration which it is impossible to prevent. Further, the engine exhaust should enter a common pipe which may then be led to some convenient position, where it will not cause discomfort to the pilot and spread unburnt oil in all direc tions. This is, of course, quite impossible on rotary engines, and becomes a complicated matter on eDgines fitted with an auxiliary exhaust. Preferably some form of silencer should be employed. In conclusion, the author has adopted a somewhat critical atti tude with the object of bringing out the views of those who, from experience in the construction and the working of these engines, are well qualified to speak. It is to be hoped that the subsequent discussion will fulfil a useful purpose in forwarding the development of the aeronautical engine in this country, so that it may soon arrive at a position in the world as high as that now held by the British automobile. The author acknowledges with pleasure the assistance he has received from Mr. Maclvor in calculating the values of vp and the thermal efficiences of engines given in the tables ; also of the manufacturers who have been good enough to favour him with photographs and particulars of their productions. [fOGHT] AERONAUTICAL SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN. OfiuuU Notias. Annual General Meeting.—The annual general meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 26th, at 8.0 p.m., followed «t 8.30 p.m. by a lecture, to be followed by a discussion, on " Hydro- Aeroplanes " by Commander C. R. Samson, K.N. Associate Fellowship Election.—Application forms for tin- next election of Associate Fellow-., which will take place early in April, can now be obtained from the Secretary, and it should be noted that it is not necessary that the applicants should lw Members of the Society. Easter Vacation.—The offices of the Society will be closed from Friday, March 21st, to Tuesday, March 24th. KF.RTRAM G. COOPER. Secretary. ® ® ® ® KITE AND MODEL AEROPLANE ASSOCIATION. Ojfuial Noticct. British Model Records. n„,, U__-U«J (Distance ... A. K. Woollard ... 477 yards. Hand-Unncb*! - Deration ... A. F. Houlberg ... siiecs. rttr „.™„.i 1 Distance ... G. Rowlands 133 yards. °ff*round [Duration ... A. F. Houltwrg ... 51 iact. Hydro, off water ... Duration ... G. P. Bragg-Smitb ... 15 sees. Single-tractor screw, f Distance ... !•". G. Hindsley ... 173 yards, band-launched ...(.Duration ... F. G. Hindsley ... 36 sees. Do., off ground ... Duration ... H.K.Weston ... si toes. Gift of Prizes.—Mr. Claude Grahame-White has kindly given a trophy for competition. It will be known as The lx>ndon Aerodrome Model Aeroplane Trophy, and will be competed for at the aerothonn . Trials.—The official trials take place at Sudbury today (.Saturday), at 3 o'clock, on the Paddington and District Aero Club ground. Annus! General Meeting-—The annual general meeting will lie held on Thursday, March srth, at 7.;o. Notices will be posted to every member. It is hoped that all members will endeavour to attend. After the usual business the meeting will discuss suggestions for competitions lor the year. Any such suggestions should be written and handed to the Secretary prior to the discussion. 27, Victors- Road, Wimbledon, S.W. 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, IIIGHGATE AVENUE, N.). WILL all members attend at the Finchley ground, March 15th, at a.30 p.m., when an inaugural contest will be held V Ecclesall and District (50, CRESCENT ROAD, SHEFFIELD). MARCH 23ND.—An "aerial Derby" will' be held at Itent'siGreen, Kccletall. Rules : Prizes will be awarded to rhe three competitors who cover the course in the least number of flights. Each time a model is launched to couttt as a flight. Each competitor is to he accompanied by an "observer," who will record each flight, and submit it to the judge at the close of the contest. Leytonstone and District Aero Club (64, LHYSFKING ROAD) SUNDAYS, model flying near liushwood Avenues at y.30 a.m. Marcb 181I1, general meeting at 64, Leyspring Road, B p.m. Manchester Mooel Ae.C (14. WARWICK RD. N., OLD TRAFFORD). MARCH TSTH.—Meeting, 3 o'clock, at Trafford Park Aerodrome. Easter arrangements: Meetings for prizes on the Friday, Saturday and Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, and if wet weather prevails in the mornings and clears up later on the meetings will be held in the afternoons. Sheffield Model Aero Club (35, PENRHYN ROAD, SHEFFIELD). MARCH competition is for self-rising models. First prise : 2s. 6d. cash, or bronze aviation medal for longest duration. Second prize : Total entrance fees received for best added flights. Special prize : Mr. J. P. Worrall is presenting one pair o-in. 20-in.-pitch carved poplar propellers for the best duration flight during the month (hand-launched), to the member who has not already won a prize. Club room, 32, Carver Street, is open all the afternoon Sundays. S. Eastern Model Ae.C. (1, RAILWAY APPROACH, BROCKLEY). Blackheath and East Duhvic/i branches : March 15th, Kidbrookc, 2,30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. ; 16th, Illackheath, 7.30 a.m. to 10 a.m. ; Lee Aerodrome, 10.15 a-m- to 12.30 p.m. Croydon andBeckenham /'ram lies: March 15th, Duppas Hill, 3.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.; :6th, Mitcham Common, 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Impromptu competitions will be held at Ridhrooke and Blackheath. ® ® ® ® Hydro-Aeroplanes for the Congo. THE enquiries made by the committee appointed by the Belgian Colonial Minister to consider the possibility of utilizing aeroplanes in the Belgian colonies has resulted in the drawing up of a'scheme for a competition for hydro-aeroplanes suitable for use in the Congo territory. Entries have to be made by April 15th. A Bieriot in Indo-Chlna. ONE of the best flights in Asia up to the present was made by Georges Verminck on the 1st inst. On his Bieriot with 50-h.p. Gnome and Chauviere Integral propeller, he started from Saigon, the capital of Indo-China and flew the 400 kiloms. to Pnom-Penh, the chief town of Camlxxlge in four hours and a half He was received at his destination with great enthusiasm and was decorated by the King of Cambodge. On the 6th inst. Marc Pourpe made the trip back to Saigon. 319
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