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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 0409.PDF
APRIL 18, 1914. backwards towards the front spar, but in later machines this feature will be discarded as making the wings more expensive to build and being of no particular aero dynamical value. The main planes are separated by four pairs of poplar struts, two pairs each side, whilst a cabaneAWie structure mounted on the upper longerons of the fuselage takes the place of the usual four upright struts in the central cellule. Cross bracing is effected by means of stranded cables terminating in the quickly detachable devices illustrated in one of A neat way of joining struts and cross members to fuselage longeron of the E.A.C the accompanying sketches. By undoing these com bined quick releases and turn buckles, the wings can be dismantled in a very short space of time. The angle of incidence is \\ degrees, and there is no dihedral angle. Ailerons are fitted to the top plane only. The chassis is of a very simple type, consisting of two Vs of streamline steel tubes extended forward to form short tusks or skids. The axle rests in slots in flange pieces in the angle between the struts, and is sprung by means of rubber cord. Palmer cord tyres of large size are used, and the wheels are enclosed in fabric covers, in order to reduce the head resistance. The tail planes consist of a flat triangular stabilising ® ® The Fatal Accident at Brooklands. AT the inquest on the 9th inst., at Weybridge, on Sergeant E. N. Deane, who lost his life at Brooklands on the previous day, the evidence of those who witnessed the accident showed that the pilot was thrown from his seat through too steep a descent being attempted. Having completed figure eight tests for his brevet. Sergeant Deane went up for the altitude test, but instead of going up to 400 feet as instructed went up to 1,000 feet. He then shut off the engine and started a spiral descent at a very steep angle. When about 350 feet from the ground he was seen to fall from his seat, and the machine, after turning over twice, crashed to the ground. An examination of the machine showed that the controls were all in order, and Mr. F. W. Merriam, who had instructed the deceased, described him as an apt and intelligent pupil who gave promise of becoming an excellent pilot. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and in a rider expressed the opinion that the Aero Club should be recommended to insist that all machines should be provided with straps and other necessary life-saving appliances to prevent possible accidents. If pupils did not use them, this would relieve schools of the responsibility. French Pilots Killed in Morocco. IT was announced by the French Minister of War last week that a French flying officer and a mechanic had lcfet their lives under peculiar circumstances in Morocco. The officer, Capt. Herve, accompanied by Corporal Rooland, started on Sunday week from Casablanca to fly to Fez, along the Bou-Recreg valley. Apparently 409 r/ycHTj plane hinged to the upper longerons of the fuselage. The divided elevator is hinged to the trailing edge of this fixed tail plane, and by undoing a few nuts both stabilising plane and elevator can be folded down flat along the body, thus taking up very little room. A small triangular Attachment of lower spar to fuselage of E.A.C. biplane. Note streamline casing round spar where wing has been left uncovered. vertical fin is fitted in order to counteract the forward side area of the fuselage, and to the trailing edge of this fin is hinged the rudder. A tail skid of the type shown in one of the accompanying sketches protects the tail planes against contact with the ground. The weight of the machine empty is 950 lbs., and her speed is expected to be from 50 to 75 miles per hour. As soon as the machine is completed by the Eastbourne Aviation Company, she will be put through her tests, and there seems little doubt but that she will give a good account of herself, for Mr. Gassier is not only a designer of considerable experience but is also a very capable pilot. ® ® they had been forced to land, and, on setting out on foot for the nearest military post, had been assassinated by robbers. Their bodies were found by natives on the following day. The Forlantnl Airship Disaster. THE catastrophe which overtook the Forlamni airship " Citta di Milano " on Thursday of last week was the first serious accident which has occurred to the airship fleet belonging to the Italian Army. It appears that the airship with four officers, four ladies, and four mechanics on board, started from Milan with the intention of cruising to Como, but had only proceeded as far as Cantu when a serious leakage of gas necessitated a sudden descent, and in effect ing this further damage was done to the airship. Not unnaturally, the landing caused a large crowd to gather, and as there were not a sufficient number of soldiers available to keep the crowd in check the work of repair was considerably hampered. The onlookers, many of whom were smoking, would insist on keeping close to the vessel from which the gas was escaping rapidly. Eventually there was an explosion, and the whole vessel was quickly reduced to a mass of tangled metalwork. About 50 people were injured as the result of the explosion, and one died in hospital the next day. It may be recalled that the airship, which was described and illus trated in FLIGHT for January 24th last, was 72 metres long and 18 metres diameter, and was fitted with two 85 h.p. Issota Fraschini motors. The airship was built as the result of a public subscription, and was presented to the Italian Government by the City of Milan. Several similar vessels are on order for the British Government. C 2
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