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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 0908.PDF
O^CHT AUGUST 28, 1914. Mr. W. A. Smallcombe's Model.. WB give this week some further particulars and photo, of Mr. Mr. Smallcombe's interesting model, referred to in last week's issue, the special features of which are that the main supporting surfaces are designed like the wing of a rook, and tipped with feathers, with a view to investigating the stability of such a form of design. " Each feather," says Mr. Smallcombe, " is set at a small negative angle, and coiresponds with the first four primaries of a a rook's wing. " The idea of applying such a feature to a model with a view to obtaining both lateral and longitudinal stability, was brought about by closely observing rooks when gliding, each feature acting as an independent lifting surface. Now when the rook glides into a wind the primaries are all closed tightly, slightly overlapping one another, thus reducing the lifting surface considerably, which is quite a desirable thing when turning into the wind. (The wings are also slightly flexed if the wind is very strong.) My idea is that the extra Edited by V. E. JOHNSON, M.A. flight I forgot to so place the rudder as to counteract the torque with the result mentioned later on. After travelling some 10 yards the machine turned out of the wind and rose at A, and continued as far as B some 6 to 12 inches above the water. It was the turn Mr. W. A. Smalkombe's "rook" model. wind pressure on the upper surface of the leathers tends to close them together, and th:y open by their own springiness when the pressure is released. " When I first made the model I only put on one rudder of 4 sq. ins. area. With this the model rolled rather badly in the air unless the rudder was in the exact position. I have now fixed on a fin 12 sq. ins. in area, in addition to the rudder, and the stability and control are almost perfect. I had hardly any trouble with the longi tudinal stability. My longest flight to date is 150 yards, hand launched, and 100 yards off the ground." Particulars ofo-p\-i-i "Rook"-type Model. Length overall, 41 ins. Main plane, span 30 ins., chord 6 ins., with four feathers on each wing tip, graduated from 11 ins. by 2 ins. to 4 ins. by 1 in. Tail, made of 19 gauge steel wire ; span 12 ins., maximum chord 6 ins., two elevator flaps 3 ins. by 1*5 ins. Fin, t2 sq. ins., and rudder 4 sq. ins., both constructed of 19 gauge steel wire. Body, boat-shaped v-section, with maximum depth and breadth about one-thirl from the front. Tractor screw, diameter 11 ins. and 16 ins. pitch. Chassis, cane and 19 gauge steel wire. Wheels, 275 ins. aluminium, rubber (Messrs. T. Bonn and Co.). Rubber motor, container' within the body ; weight' of rubber 1*25 oz. Total weight of machine 9'5 ozs. Mr. L. H. Slatter's Steam-Driven Model. We have received the Allowing communication from Mr. Slatter : " Just a line to let you know how I got on yesterday morning. As you are probably aware, P>* weather wasnot absolutely ideal. Having risen at 5 a.m. and my friend Connolly having turned up, we set out. The first attempt was made against the wind. Before the ••fc""" DIRECTION OF WIND * ASHORE at B, due to the torque, that caused disaster. Not knowing the correct elevation, it so happened that the model was under elevated, with the result that the machine dropped in consequence, when turning, drove her floats in with a big splash, and after floating Mr. L. H. Slatter and his power-driven hydro-aeroplane, as seen from the front. back to within a stone's throw, she overturned. This, of course, filled the wings with water, making hsr very wet and heavy. The plant, however, started up again all right, and I decided to have another try, but the lamp was out (turned), so we didn't succeed in getting a second attempt. The plant* is quite all right but I think it essential to start with the wind in future." Better luck next time. Wind Tunnel Tests of Models to Ascertain Best Lift/Drag Ratio. In the Aeronautical Journal far July the rules for the above com petition are published, and they are also published in the official programme of the K. and M.A.A. We think this competition, of a purely scientific character, cannot be too widely known or the rules which govern it, so we publish them below. Rule 6, it is noticed, is not yet complete ; we certainly think this rule should be completed at once, and all the time possible given to competitors to work at their designs in every detail. We certainly hope, even under present circumstances, that not only will all the leading model designers submit models, but many others as well. The rules, briefly put, are as follows :— 1. Span of model 24 ins. 2. No model accepted which has not flown 150 yds., wind velocity allowed for. 3. Models will be retained by K. and M.A.A. after flying tests, until laboratory tests are finished. 4. Models must have propellers, so fitted as to revolve freely when rubber motor is detached. 5. Rubber kept on model during the laboratory test, approxi mately in position but detached from propeller. 908
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