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Aviation History
1913
1913 - 1321.PDF
DECEMBER 13, 1913. IT must be admitted that, in contrast to previous Paris Shows, the first impressions gained on entering the Grand Palais have very little to do with aeroplanes. It is the decorations, which by their magnificence and'lavishness, verging almost to prodigality, compel attention. Of late years the French Motor and Aero Shows have tended to become much more business-like in regard to their scheme of decorations, but for this Show, doubtless on account of the comparative scarcity of exhibits, there has been a return to the "atmosphere" of the former days. The setting of the present Show is typical of the thought and care in such things which may be looked for in an artistic nation, for although taking some of the items of the scheme singly, they would appear to be outre, yet when they are combined with the other parts it must be admitted that they produce a most wonderful and gorgeous effect. In the centre of the Grand Nef is a great fountain of flowers standing some 30 ft. high, and round it are ranged six stands, which are separated from each other by terraces of flowers, radiating from the plinth of the great floral fountain. Along the centre of the Grand Nef, three on each side of the central fountain, are arranged half a dozen giant Egyptian drinking cups, each overflowing with beautiful flowers, and running between each vase are stepped terraces of flowers. The scheme of illumination has also been very carefully devised, the main item con sisting of twenty-two hanging lampshades of silk, which are lined with incandescent electric lamps, ranging in [/OGHT power from about 250 c.p. on the outside circle to 4 c.p. on the inside. The result of this graduated lighting is beautiful in the extreme. Turning to the exhibits, the first impression is that of disappointment at the scarcity of them, for the stands on which complete aeroplanes are exhibited number under a score. It must be admitted, however, that all the French makers who have, so to speak, " won their spurs " are represented, and there is a welcome absence of freaks. Owing to this state of affairs, there is no lack of room, and the Farman, Bh-riot, and Nieuport linns each have double stands. Although it is true that of the forty machines on view, considerably more than half are of the monoplane type, it is evident that, as a result of the favour with which it is regarded by the military authorities, the biplane is once more in the ascendant. Another influence which is being brought to bear by the requirements for military work is noticeable in the direction of the use of steel instead of wood in con struction. The number of machines on which steel is employed for the chassis is far greater than those in which wood is used, while in several machines steel is utilised for the fuselage, wing-spars, elevator frame and rudder. Another important development in design is towards the simplification of the chassis for land machines, and many of the manufacturers are adopting the inverted " M " principle, after the style of that which is a character istic feature of the Morane-Saulnier. For passenger-carrying THE PARIS AERO SALON.—General view from the south. 1347 ' Flic 1" " CopjTignt. I)
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