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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 0889.PDF
ling of excursions, the date selected being the Saturday before Bank Holiday, and to the abnormally bad weather. It is not likely that we shall repeat the experiment. " I quite agree with your remarks on the subject of competitions. Too many competitions are held, and no one seems to take the trouble to consider what effect the competitions are going to have on the development and status of model flying. I am glad to say that we have now a number of members who are interested in research work, and for these members we shall make it our business to cater without worrying about the men who are only energetic enough to build elementary machines for duration and other useless competitions." Mr. Tivy also forwards us the following account and accompanying photos, of the models and competition, which undoubtedly reflect the greatest credit on both the organisers and competitors, and we certainly think that all such endeavours should be given every encouragement:— " The Summer Model Aeroplane Competition was held at the Bristol International Exhibition on Saturday, August 1st. " A feature of this year's competition was the introduction of a marking system as a basis on which to make awards in two of the events. Details of this system were published in FLIGHT on June 12th and 19th, and on July 24th. Points were awarded by a number of judges for design, construction, and various desirable flying qualities. The models were required to fly a qualifying distance, but no account was taken of the factor of 'duration,' which has produced the miserable type of model aeroplane with which model flying is still, unfortunately, associated. " The models were exhibited in the International Pavilion during the week, when they excited a considerable amount of interest. The flying models comprised : Single-screw machines—8 tractor monoplanes, 1 tractor biplane, 3 canard monoplanes, I tail-type monoplane ; twin-screw machines—15 canard monoplanes, 3 tail- type monoplanes. The visitors were especially pleased with a large steam-driven Coanda ' Bristol' monoplane of 6 ft. 6 ins. span exhibited in the Loan Section by Mr. G. W. Legge. The more elaborate of the rubber-driven scale models also came in for a fair share of attention, and several of these machines wei e of really feasible design and sound construction. Mr. L. J. Clark exhibited a Bleriot machine cleverly constructed of piano wire. Mr. R. C. Cross, of the Bath and Somerset Aero Club, sent in a well-built single-screw canard monoplane (No. 16) of an unconventional design. After some preliminary tuning up this machine made several excellent flights in the flying contests (see photograph). Mr. R. T. Howse exhibited a Military Scout biplane (No. 11) of very pleasing lines and excep tionally fine workmanship (see photograph). One of Mr. Smallcombe's machines (No. 4, see photograph) deserves special mention. The wings were cleverly constructed on the design of a rook's wing and tipped with flexible feathers with the idea of investigating the stability attributable to such a formation. It is very gratifying that such an interesting experimental machine should have won the first prize in the event for single-screw machines, and the result of further tests will be awaited with interest. Mr. J. E. Gordon Stephens entered a very practicable Military " Parasol" monoplane with enclosed fuselage. All of the above machines were driven by geared rubber motors. Mr. N. Gordon Stephens entered several machines, including an Etrich tractor monoplane. Mr. R. V. Tivy, the Secretary of the Meeting, exhibited his " Weiss " mono plane, which has been rebuilt with wings of 5 ft. span and fitted with a geared rubber motor in place of the steam engine, which would not run satisfactorily in an enclosed fuselage. " The models were arranged on the stand in classes, i.e., tractor monoplanes, tractor biplanes, &c, and the information in the official programme was supplemented by means of typewritten show cards giving the points of interest of the machines. The models were in charge of an attendant, and the visitors were not allowed to touch the exhibits on the stands. " The flying contests were marred by showers of rain, which inter fered with the flying and kept down the '£atc,' the flying being eventually witnessed only by some 250 damp but interested spectators. The flying space was very restricted, but most of the Photo, by Messrs. Knighton and Cutis. Single screw canard monoplane model constructed by Mr. R. C. Cross. models gave a very good account of themselves, and upwards of 120 flights were made in as many minutes (the contests starting and ending punctually). In the hands of the judges—Major lioileauand Messrs. R. M. Haines, P. A. Thompson and R. V. Tivy—all Official Observers, the marking system gave most satisfactory results, and the encouragement which this system has given to the building of feasible model aeroplanes on this and a previous occasion amply justifies its adoption. The target contest was won by Mr. S. H. Baker, of the Bath and Somerset Aero Club, with an excellent straight flight terminating within the small target. The looping- the- loop contest excited great interest and afforded a very fine spectacular display, being won eventually by Mr. Howse with five very clean loops. Mr. A. G. Botterill, of the Riverside Model Aero Club, gave a wonderful display of catastrophic evolutions. " Mr. N. Gordon Stephen* officiated as Marshal, and Messrs. H. W. Frampton and A. Winfield (of the International Exhibition) as stewards, and to the energy of these officials and the judges the success of the competition was largely due. The results of the four events are given below : — "The Summer Model Aeroplane Exhibition and Competition, 1914. "EVENT A.—Contest for Single Screw Models. ISt ... W. A. Smallcombe ... No. 4... 77 per cent. 2nd... R. T. Howse II... 73 „ 3rd ... J. B. Allen , 1 ... 52 „ 4th ... A. E. Pearse ... ._ ,, 15 ... 514 » Photo, by Mr. F. Bromhead. Single screw rook's wing tractor monoplane model constructed by Mr. W. A. Smallcombe. 889
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