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Aviation History
1913
1913 - 1351.PDF
DECEMBER 20, 1913. skids, from which the two pairs of wheels are slung by means of rubber shock absorbers. The wheel axles, which aie of strong steel tubing, are streamlined, with wooden pieces lashed on. Stranded cables have taken the place of the usual radius-rods, and the band-brakes which, it will be remembered, were fitted on the machine exhibited at Olympia have been discarded. The extensions of the skids to the rear of the chassis struts have been done away with, and in their place is fitted a tail skid of laminated wood. The mam planes, which are of a new section, which has been found to give a very good lift-drift ratio, are separated by six pairs of struts, cross-braced in the usual manner. Both IfiJOHT main spars are hinged on the fuse/age, and warping is employed for lateral control. The tail planes consist of a semicircular fixed tail plane mounted on top of the fuselw. To the trailing edge of this is hinged the elevator, which is undivided, as the rudder is situated wholly on top of the fuselage. Tin workmanship is of the usual high " Bristol " quality, and altogether it would have been difficult to find a more worthy repre sentative lor this country, but one can only regret that the British and Colonial Aeroplane Co, Ltd., were the only British firm showing, as neither of our leading firms need have feared comparison with the French manufacturers. BLERIOT. THE Bleriot exhibit is certainly the largest at the Show and one of the most interesting, consisting as it does of no less than six machines and fuselages. One of these is the well-known type XI, and the other the equally well-known tandem two-seater, of which we need give no description here, as they are already known to our readers. Of the other machines, probably the most interesting is the tandem passenger's seat is situated in a separate cockpit on line with the trailing edge of the wings, and consists simply of a cushion placed loosely on the floor of the fuselage. By sliding the seat along, th- passenger may squat down and lie fully stretched out on the floor, and may inspect the country underneath tluough an oval opening cut out of the bottom of the coqrn. By these means he obtains an absolutely unrestricted view in a downward ditection, 11s no part of the chassis interferes in the slightest degree with his observation. Three-quarter rear view of the new Bleriot biplane. Nearer view of the tall plates. Flight' •1 yrigtrt, two-seater vtcnocoque. This machine, which has, as the name implies, a fuselage of the coque type, is one of the neatest at the Show, and, as far as comfort is concerned, it is one of the best thought out that we have ever seen. It would almost seem impossible to provide such comfort and protection for pilot and passenger in so small a space as is available in this type of machine. The pilot occupies the front seat, which is situated well forward, thus allowing of a very good view in all directions. The For communication between pilot and passenger a'speaking lul r is provided, and it is fitted with a microphone which allows of conversation being carried on without the necessity of stopping the engine. The engine, an 80 h.p. Gnome, is mounted on overhung bearings in the nose of the fuselage. It is partly covered in by an aluminium cowl, which has one opening on each side of the Jus, lag. , thus allowing the air toescape. This should, we think, provide excellent "Flight" Copyright. Chassis and engine mounting of the Bleriot monocoque. On the right a view of the armoured nose. 1377
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