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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 0025.PDF
JANUARY 3, 1914. AFFILIATED MODEL CLUBS 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. Bristol and West of England Aero Club (Model Section) (42, ROYAL YORK CRESCENT, CLIFTON, BRISTOL). Club Diary.—Jan. 3rd, conclusion of r.f.g. duration competition at Sea Walls, 3 p m., or following Saturday if the weather is unfavourable. Jan. loth, steering contest at 3 p.m., at Sea Walls. Jan. 14th, general meeting in club- room, 8 p.m , when members intending to exhibit at the Olympia Aero Show are asked to make a special effort to attend. November and December Report.—On Saturdays, Nov. 22nd and 29th and Dec. 13th, 20th and 27th, a duration competition was contested on the Downs, the following members competing:—R. T. Howse, L. J. Jacques, E. Martin, A. E. Pearse, W. A. Smallcombe and N. Gordon Stephens. The durations leading on Dec. 27th were :—W. A. Smallcombe, 46 sees, and 42 sees. ; and R. T. Howse, 40 sees. On Nov. 22nd, a flight of 55 sees, was made by R. T. Howse's h.l. model, this being at present the longest flight over level ground timed by an official observer. Two flights of 60 sees, have, however, been timed at the gliding fields at Keynsham and Portbury, the model in one case dis appearing from view. On Dec. 27th, R. T. Howse's small twin-screw model made several flights, in each of which it looped the-loop three times. W. A. SmaUcombe's single-screw model was also induced to loop-the-loop. Two flights were made by models carrying "electric sparklers," the effect of these little fireworks beiig very good. These sparklets cannot set anything on fire, and as they keep alight tn any wind for 30 or 40 sees, they are well adapted for illuminated flying. Croydon and District Ae.C. (158, HIGH STREET, CROYDON). Monthly Report,—December has been one of the busiest months of the year with this club. A great deal of valuable work has been done, the majority of the models used being heavy ones. Members of this club do not cut down the weight of their models to the absolute minimum in order to obtain the greatest possible duration, as most of them think that a middle or heavy weight model demon strates the efficiency of plane surface, shape, camber, propellers, stability, general design, &c, far more effectively than does a light one. A noticeable feature of the month's flying has been the low altitude at which the models have flown (with a few exceptions). Possibly this is owing to the damp and misty atmosphere experienced at Mitcham during the winter months, but whatever the cause may be the models have shown a distinct aversion to climbing. Hydros. : Messrs. Bell, C. Smither, Pavely and Hart have been prominent with these models. A competition was held on Mitcham Common for duration on Dec. 7th, under almost impossible conditions, the models being repeatedly blown over. However, this competition was won by Mr. P. Hart with 25 sees., which was not bad under the circumstances. Mr. H, Smither has had splendid flights with his hydro., his average being over 40 sees., as also have Messrs. Hell and Pavely. Tractors : A fine tractor monoplane has been made by Mr. S. Mullins, with which he has obtained flights of over 300 yds. with very good duration. Mr. H. Smither out with a new tractor with complicaied though thoroughly efficient chassis. Very spectacular flying has been put up by Mr. Bell's tractor biplane. H.l. models : Mr. C. Smither has distinguished himself by constructing a model that loops-the-loop and then flies for approximately 300 to 400 yds. distance. Mr. Bell has also been out for distance, and has obtained flights of 400 to 600 yds. Probably one of the best flyers yet seen at Mitcham is Mr. H. Smither's single-screw model, with which he has obtained 74 sees., though the model was not built for duration. Its stability and gliding angle is excellent. Mr. Carter has done well with his various models, though his new duration 'bus requires tuning up. There was very little flying at Christmas. Messrs. Bell and Mullins were out on Christmas Day, and obtained good flights with their respective tractor models. Leytonstone and District Aero Club (64, LEYSPRING ROAD). JAN. 4TH, flying, 10 a.m., on Wanstead Flats as usual. If wet meet at club- room. Jan. 7th, general meeting, 7.30 p.m., at clubroom. Will all members try and be present at .the Model Engineer Exhibition ? Prize distribution, Jan. 9th, 7.30, Caxton Hall. Monthly Report.—On Nov. 30th 26 members met on Wanstead Flats. Messrs. H. Bedford, S. C. Hersom and F. E. Grattan were flying hydros., Mr. Bedford obtaining 42 sees. Tractors were flown with varying success by Messrs. G. Hawthorn, L. McCulloch, H. Bedford and F. Grattan. Six r.o.g. s were in evidence, flown by different members, and ten h.l. models, the best duration being 80 sees, by Mr. F. E. Grattan. On Dec. 7th only 18 members assembled, but tire flying was very good. Mr, H. Bedford obtained 46 sees, with his hydro., and Mr. F. Hawthorn 43 sees, also with hydro. Tractors were flown by Messrs. H. Bond, L. McCulloch, H. Bedford and F. E. Grattan. By hand-launching his model Mr. Bond obtained 50 sees. R.o.g.'s were flown by Messrs. F. Hawthorn, 43 sees., H. Bond, B. Ludlow, C. Hersom, 102 sees., T. Kimpton, 50 sees., and J. E. Louch, who bad six flights all over :oo sees., the best being 132. Ten h.l. models were flown during the morning, the highest durations being obtained by Mr. S. C. Hersom and Mr. J. E. Louch. There was a meet of 21 members on Dec. 14th. The weather was unfavourable, but the flying was good, although no durations were taken. Messrs. F. Hawthorn and H. Bedford again accounted for the hydros., both models flying well. Five tractoi models were flown, four as last week, and an additional one by Mr W. Rtggs. Six r.o.g.'s were flown by different members, and also eight b.l. models. Dec. 20th was remarkable for the splendid tractor flying. No durations were taken, but there was a Caudron (almost scale) by Mr. W. Hersom, a Handley Page by Mr. G. Hawthorn, a Weiss by Mr. F. Hawthorn, and three others by Messrs. S. C. Hersom, H. Bedford and F. E. Grattan, which were fitted with rectangular wings. All six were rising from the ground and flying high and well. During the morning four were in the air at one time, the result being very spectacular and much appreciated by the crowd. R-o.g.'s were flown by Messrs. F. Wood, S. C. Hersom, F. Hawthorn and H. Bedford. Seven h.l. models were in evidence, and Mr. F. Hawthorn flew his hydro. On Dec. 23th two competitions were held. Members of Section " A " competed with 6-oz. tractors. There were only six entries, and the results were rather poor, both being accounted for by very unfavourable weather. The prizes, which were presented by Mr. Thos. Kimpton, were awarded as follows : Mr. F. E. Grattan, 1st, with 15 points; Mr. H. Bedford, 2nd, with 10 points ; and Mr. F. Hawthorn, 3rd, with 7 points. The Section "B" competition was for h.l. models, and also attracted an entry of six. The prizes were awarded as follows : Mr. F. Wood, 1st; Mr. L. McCulloch, 2nd ; and Mr. A. Hoare, 3rd. Mr. H. Green was obtaining flights with a tractor model which he had built too light to enter the competition, and r.o.g.'s were flown by Messrs. S. C. Hersom and F. Wood. On Dec. 28th the weather was again very unfavourable, and only 17 members assembled. Messrs. W. Hersom, F. Hawthorn, H. Bedford and F. Grattan were flying tractors with varying success. Mr. F. Wood was obtaining some §ood flights with his r.o.g. and ten h.l. models were flown by various members uring the morning. The weather throughout the month has been very much against model flying, but the majority of members are enthusiastic, and ihe club is doing a d«"al of good work. N,E. London Model Ae.C.(47jKNNERRD.STOKENEWiNOTON,N.) THE annual general meeting will be held early in January; members will be notified by post, as date and pla.-e have not been settled. Unfortunately, it has been found necessary to reorganise the club, and we hope all our supporters will do their best to assist the reorganisation committee. Monthly Report.—Mr. Dore has been doing very consistent work with his Q-oz. 'bus, but unfortunately lost it during an illuminated flight several weeks back. F. Burton's ungeared tractor is a very eflective high flyer, with a duration average of 50 sees. F. Burton has also been giving looping demonstrations, obtaining eight successive loops. A. Lewm has been flying single and twin- screw machines with very satisfactory results. B. H. Lougstaffe has been able to reduce power on his 10-oz. 'bus by double-surfacing the main plane._ The camber of the underside is approximately flat, and, together with a loading of 8 oz. per sq. ft., this model is exceedingly fast. P. Cowderoy and H. Sherrat have greatly improved in their work with twin-screws, also great promise is shown by J. Horwood and F. Ramsey with tractors ana single-screws. Paddington and Districts (77. SWINDERBY ROAD, WEMBLEY). JAN. 3RD and 10th, flying at Sudbury, r.o g. handicap. Annual general meeting at secretary's house, 6 o'clock. The balance sheet and report for 1913 will be read and presented for adoption, and a general discussion will include the club's programme for the Olympia Aero Show and the arrangements of the club for 19x4 season. Monthly Report.—Dec. 6th, raining slightly. M. Levy testing ornithopter, C. C. Dutton putting models through looping-the-ljop and upside-down evjlations, F. W. Johnson tuning up twin.propeller r.o.g. model. Thefullowing week C. C. Dutton won the r.o.g. handicap, and incidentally gained the first superior certificate awarded by the club with a fine flight of 93$ sees, r.o.g. His other durations were 91, 86t and 83 sees. W. Evans' best flight was SSj sees, (single propeller), and b. W. Johnson's 50I sees. Dec. aoth, ro.g. handicap won by W. Evans with 6s points, F. W. Johnson 61, and M. Levy 55. Boxing Day, an inter-club contest between the Wimbledon Aero Club and Paddington Aero Club was held at Sudbury. Result, a win for Paddington. It was blowing half a gale, and in such adverse weather ordinary durations were out of the question. The best duration was by M. Levy (Paddincton), the flexible wings of whose model appeared to give to every gust, thus maintaining the model on an even keel. Six members from each club took part. The return match was held on the following day on Wimbledon Common, and although the wind was still strong it was not so gusty. Paddington again won Times were as follow :—For Wimbledon : Laing, 58 sees.; A. F. Houlberg, 56 sees : Powell, 55 sees.; and Tucker, 33 sec*. Average, 50^ sees. For Paddingdon: C. C. Dutton, 83 sees. ; T. Carter. 54 sees.; w. Evans, 51 sees. ; and M. Levy, 27 sees. Average, 53^ sees. Reigate, Kedhill and District (THE COTTAGE, WOODLANDS AVENUE, REDHILL). Monthly Report.—The junior members' competition was won by Mr. Hooton with 38 sees., after fine flying in tricky air ; Mr. Greenhead was second and Mr. Hoyle third. The latter had the misfortune to smash his biplane during previous tuning up ; it should have given a good account of itself. He, however, procured a mono, from workshop for competition. Mr. M. Wilson smashed during com petition. However, the competition was considered a success, as it has been the means of bringing these men forward. The prizes were :—First electric torch, presented by Mrs. Neville Meier ; second, a*. 6d.; third, pliers. A prize of accessories has been kindly offered by Messrs. j. Bonn and Co., for which a periodical competition has been arranged. R.o.g. machines are to be used, and the existing club record of 43 sees, has to be surpassed before March tst, 1914. An extremely interesting lecture has been given by Mr. Houlberg, and was much appreciated. It has been decided to exhibit at the forthcoming show at Olympia, also to enter the team contest. Mr. Sutton has been out with floating tail h.l., also 6-oz. and 9-07.. tractors loaded over 6 ozs. to 1 sq. ft. His best result with floating tail was 544 yds.; this has been found to possess a great amount of inherent stability, he having launched it in all positions, including upside down, and it invariably rights itself; he has also carried out experiments on 6-oz. tractor with different tails and propellers, getting best results with " S " curve tail and zi in. instead of 10 in. tractor screw; he has also had 300 yds. with 7-oz. r.o.g. Canard. Mr. Hoyle has built new type of fuselage for biplane, and has had good results ; also with 7-oz. r.o.g. mono. Mr. Hooton has been doing good work with 7-oz. r.o.g. mono. ; also 9-oz. r.o.g. biplane Canard, which had floating tail also, but has been improved by removing tail. Mr. Norton has been tuning up a "makeup" h.l. mono, for the purpose of testing double surfaced plane and different propellers. The Wilson brothers have been getting 400 yds. and 35 sees, with 7-oz. r.o.g. monos. at Buckland, later improving this with different propellers and less power. Mr. Young has had 30 sees, with h.l. mono, at Salford. Mr. Kennard has also been tuning a r.o.g. mono. All members have been busy in workshop preparing for Rawson Cup competition and Bonn prize, not to mention Olympia. Mr. Greenhead has had 38 sees, with r.o.g. mono. •Wimbledon and District (165, HOLLAND ROAD, W.). JAN. 3RD and 4th, 1914, flying as usual. Monthly Report.—A good deal of flying has been done this month in spite of adverse weather. On Dec. 26th, an inter-club contest with Paddington and Districts was held at Sudbury, resulting in a win for Paddington. Owing to the inclement weather the durations obtained on either side were very poor. In the return match at Wimbledon, on the following day, the results were as follows :—For Paddington : T. Carter, 54 sees ; C. Dutton, 83 ; M. Levy, 27; W. Evans, 51—average, 53J sees. For Wimbledon : A. F. Houlberg, 56 sees. ; L. Tucker, 33 ; D. Laing, 58 ; F. Powell, 55—average, soj sees. Only four machines a side were flown, as two of the visiting team had unfortunate smashes. Great interest has been aroused by Mr. Easdale's large tractor, which has been out on several occasions. This machine, which weighs over 13 ozs., is 4 ft. long with a span of 4 ft. ; the frame consists of a large section hollow-spar bound with fabric and supported on an elaborately sprung chassis. It gets off in fine style, climbing in large circles and gliding well when run out. The best duration so far is 47 sees., but it is expected that this will be exceeded at an early date, when a more suitable screw has been fitted. Mr. Hayden, who on Nov. 22nd captured the twin-screw h.l. record with a flight of 137 sees., has now fitted a chassis to his model; the best duration so tar is 112 sees., but this was done in calm weather, and as the machine is very slow for wind this figure has not yet been exceeded. Mr. Houlberg has been flying a h.l. machine with his usual success, obtaining durations of over too sees., all his flights being made at a great height. Great interest is taken in the electric lamp for night-flying, with which he is now experimenting. The complete outfit weighs 1 ozs., and his large machine takes this with ease. The lamp gives a good light, and for practical purposes is far superior to the " Sparkla " fireworks hitherto used. However, these latter are very suitable for spectacular flying, and several members, including Messrs. Laing, Powell, Lasdale and Chown, have done some fine night flying. The best 25
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