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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 0510.PDF
JH2I MAY 15, 1914. THE WATSON ROCKING-WING AEROPLANE. IN connection with the competition organised by " L'Union pour La Securite en Aeroplanes," Mr. P. A. W.itson, of Dundee, who has been experimenting with rocking-wing aeroplanes for a number of years, is at present demonstrating his latest type machine (No. 3) at Buc. We have asked Mr. Watson for a description of his machine, and he has sent us a copy of the explanation carries at the rear a monoplane elevator and a small fixed vertical fin. It will be observed that no movable vertical rudder is fitted. Mounted on a very strong cabane formed by two pairs of inverted V struts, is the balancing plane, by means of which lateral equilibrium is maintained, and the action of which is explained by Mr. Watson in the following extract:— Side view of Watson No. 3. which, in accordance with the rules of the competition, he has given I'Union. The following extract from Mr. Watson's explanation of the principles of his machine will, we think, make it clear in what respect his aeroplane and the manner in which it is controlled differ from ordinary types. •-The machine (No. 3), as will be seen from the accom panying photographs, is of the tractor type, and is driven by a 40 h.p. Anzani engine, mounted in front of the wicker-work nacelle. The chassis, which is of the four- wheeled type, is very robust and provides a comparatively wide track. An outrigger formed by two tail booms " The method of preserving lateral equilibrium invented by the Wright brothers has been slavishly followed, but this has probably been due to the fact that these gentlemen were the first to fly in a prac tical way. This does not prove, however, that they have not misled everybody as to the best means of preserving lateral equilibrium. It must be remembered that they began their experiments at Kitty- hawk with the fixed intention of preserving lateral equilibrium by warping the wings, and when this means alone was found insufficient they never considered the possibility of using other means than warping, but looked for an addition to their warping wing machine and devised the vertically pivoted tail. " The Wright Brothers have stated, and it is well known, that if the angle of incidence of the lower wing is increased, its resistance is also increased, so that the fore ?nd aft axis of the machine turns about its vertical axis, away from the line of flight, and the lower Front vkw of Watson No. 3.- 510
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