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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 0285.PDF
MAKCH 14, 1914. Edited by V. E. The Coming Show at Olympia. Bv the time that these lines are in the hands of our readers the Exhibition at Olympia will practically be upon us. The feature of last year's show was undoubtedly the model hydro-aeroplanes, which attracted the universal attention of all who visited the Show! These we shall again have with us, but the novelty has now worn off; the only equivalent to take their place from this point of view, so far as we can recollect, is the Ornithopter or Wing Flapping class '• but such have been at aeronautical exhibitions in some form or another from time immemorial, and they will not have the same charm of novelty that the hydro-aeroplane models had. Their chief point of interest is centred in their doings at the actual flying tests. In spite, however, of the fact that very possibly the exhibition may not contain such a distinctly novel class as last year, there are plenty of indications, apart altogether from the very large number of exhibits, of the Show being a most interesting one, and one which no aeromodellist should fail to visit. One of the most valuable lessons to be learnt, from a modellist point of view, is that of construction ; at no other place nor on any other occasion is such an opportunity of doing this provided as at Olympia. Such a lesson can only be learnt very imperfectly from books or drawings, at a far greater expenditure of time and study. The great point to bear in mind when visiting such an exhibition is not to make a tour of inspection in a spirit of carping criticism only, but rather with a view to finding out the good points which any machine may possess. Do this first of all at any rate, then criticise as much as you like, provided only that your criticism be not merely of a destructive character. It must not be forgotten that the models generally are competitive, built to fulfil certain conditions, and that the conditions and not the models may be the proper objects of criticism. A Six-Foot Span Glider. A correspondent, Mr. N. Banks, writes as follows: " Being greatly interested in gliding, I have done a good deal in this way with models with very good results. But I should like now to make a larger model of about 6 ft. span, to save time, of which I have none too much to spare. I should much appreciate your opinion and should like you to give in your columns a design and drawing for a model about this size. I am sure there are many more readers who would be pleased with the same besides myself who cannot afford the time and money to make a full-sized glider. I should mention that I prefer the monoplane type." Our correspondent does not supply enough particulars, in fact, only two are given, viz., the span and a monoplane type for pre ference. The writer has constructed two or three engined models with a span of nearly 6 ft., also some of Mr. H. H. Groves' models are not far short of this ; a few rubber-driven machines of nearly this span have also been constructed, as well as some engined models of a greater span. All these models have differed vastly in design and construction. If our correspondent will send us further particulars as to what type he prefers, if he desires it to have a proper landing chassis, it it is to be collapsible for transport ; if the fuselage is to be covered in, &c., &c, and also the particular aim he has in view in experimenting with the same, we shall be pleased to go into the matter further. In the meantime, if any readers should happen to have at any time constructed a glider of about that span, perhaps he will kindly send some particulars. Some Simple Paper Gliders. By J. COWLEY. " In my experiments with paper gliders I have mainly used types similar to existing types of aeroplanes. In making simple paper gliders the first thing to do is to take a piece of fairly thick paper of convenient size, say 7 ins. by 7 ins., and fold it as shown in Fig. 1, across the centre. Sketch on one side the dotted line form shown in Fig. 2, and we have number 3, a model Antoinette, after, of course, the wings and tail have been folded down as in Fig. 4. In this way many types can be made. I also find that by placing a cardboard piopeller in the front on a pin the model travels twice the distance and twice as fast. [We should like to hear what others have to say on this point.] Illustration number 5 shows a Bleriot so fitted and with a landing spar as well. If the model proves too heavy at the head, clip off some of the folded paper, or else cut the tail shorter. If it has not enough headway, clip the wings a little shorter, never, if possible, handle the wings or tail. Before trying model it should be held straight in front of one, about on but the JOHNSON, M.A. a level with the eyes, and carefully looked along from head to tail or tail to head, or both even can be tried, to see that the tail and wings are in a line. If the wings have a dihedral, as in the Antoinette, then this angle should be the same on both sides with respect to the tail plane. If upturned tips are used then the tip angles should be the same. Many a time in my leisure I cut a few models and hold an aviation meeting." [One of the great advantages of paper gliders is the ease and rapidity with which they can be made, and the fact that they can be r~\ M!_ L__-".* BIPLANE GLIDER DER £^- 5EA6ULL employed to illustrate so many of the leading features and principles of aviation and aerodynamics. Many a person has been first interested in aviation by seeing an interesting set of experiments with such, and aeromodellists experimenting with the latest type of propelled models should not altogether neglect this simpler type, which in proportion can teach us more of the elementary principles of flight than its more ambitious brother. It is not, it is true, safe to deduce too much re stability in actual flight from such experiments, because the self-propelled is not the same type as the gravity-propelled model; bat just how to glide automatically to earth with perfect safety in case of enforced descent is one of the problems of aviation, and here experiments with gliders may not be without value. In any case, to interest others in his art should be one of the chief aims of every aeromodellist, and in this respect he will find the simple paper glider a very powerful assistant.—V.E.J.] The Canard Type Model. " I read with interest your article re the Canard type of aeroplane in FLIGHT," writes Mr. Rowland Cross, "and I am quite in agree ment with you. My experiments lead me to believe that the tail type is even more stable than the Canard, but that both become more or less unstable when propelled by a tractor screw. I cannot think that the tractor machine is the type of the future." Mr. A. Roberts, writing on the same subject, says : " I do not think aeromodellists are trying to shirk the question of covered-in fuselages. The reason why models with covered-in fuselages are not more in evidence is because in open competition they do not stand a chance against models of the A frame twin-propeller type. Aero modellists are not going to spend time and money on experiments with models of the 'Canard covered-in fuselage type,' when they can, by constructing a model of the A frame twin-propeller type, gain trophies or prize money. If competitions could be arranged in which flying models of an experimental kind could compete, I think it would be better for the science of model aviation." Referring to Mr. Roberts' communication, there are, or at any rate there have been, many aeromodellists who place knowledge before " pots," and who care nothing at all about competitions save as such add to our knowledge. It is curious, however, how very few seemed to have made any experiments with the type referred to ; personally, we do not know of half a dozen. As a matter of fact, we can only call to mind three. If any reader who may chance to see this paragraph and who has made any such experiments, or who may know of anyone who has, will communicate with us, we shall be greatly indebted to him. In open competitions, as our correspondent says, we cannot expect a competitor to come forward with a type or construction 285
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