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Aviation History
1913
1913 - 0564.PDF
THE "TONG-MEI" 40-H.P. BIPLANE. By THE "Tong-mei" tractor biplane, which is now being tested at the Shoreham aerodrome, is a good example of the light single-seater aeroplane, and is somewhat reminiscent of the BE 3—the highly-staggered planes, deep fuselage and simple landing gear giving this im pression. The plane outline is not common in this country, the A. EG. The outline of the empennage gives a graceful effect, quite in harmony with the rest of the machine. The almost semicircular tail has a slightly cambered top- surface. The 7-ft. 4-in. elevator is built in one piece to- give high efficiency, and for a measure of safety should one control cable fail. A detail feature of the control masts is the cable THE "TONG-MEI" TRACTOR BIPLANE, MINUS FABRIC, Mr. Wong In pilot's seat. IN COURSE ERECTION.- trailing-edge being swept back slightly from the second rear strut to the extreme wing-tip, the idea being to gain increased warp efficiency. A simple and neat hinge is fitted to the rear spar, to lessen fatigue. The planes are mounted on twelve silver spruce silk- bound struts, shaped to the " Baby " section, as recom mended by the National Physical Laboratory. A particularly good feature is the rib construction, each fixing, designed to retain the cable in case of failure of the bolt or its fastening. The balanced rudder is mounted on a wood-filled steel mast, which, extended through the body, forms the- support of a pivoted tail skid, in BE 3 fashion. The landing chassis is essentially simple, being designed for use in a country where skilled assistance is difficult to obtain, each member could be replaced by almost any material that came to hand, The steel clips fastening the struts to fuselage and skids are very simple, but at the same time strong pieces of platework. COMBINATION CUP ON FUSELA6E MCMBCK rib is built up of three laminations of spruce layered together with glue and rivets on a former, the resulting curve being absolutely permanent, and the finished rib is a great deal stronger than one of the ordinary type. The trailing edge of the upper plane is cut away, above the body, to lessen down draught on the tail. 586 The comfort of the pilot has been carefully studied and he is well sheltered behind an aluminium turtle deck, which also streamlines the petrol and oil tanks. Light wood formers carry a lath and fabric combination of the streamline form behind the pilot. The central lever utilized is practically a modified
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