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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0270.PDF
\m»? APRIL 16, 1915. Edited by V. Wireless Controlled Models. " I HAVK read your article," writes Mr. J- C. Balden (Hon. Sec. Scottish Aero Soc. Model Aero Club), " entitled 'The possibilities of an Aerial Torpedo controlled by Wireless' with great interest as the possibilities of controlling a model aeroplane by wireless has been in my mind for sometime past. I am certain that until such control is obtained the fullest use that the model may be put to by the full-sized constructor will not be obtained. " Take, for example, a model whose engine is capable of running steady for a quarter of an hour, and whose flight you have full control of, climbing, vol planes, turning right and left, &c, by merely pressing a button ; then, indeed, models would be of very great value. These evolutions would, however, be carried out in a fixed order. One may, however, say that the difficulties are far too great, but with the exception of finding a light suitable motor, and the tuning up of the coherer when at a distance up in the air from the operator, I think the other difficulties would be easily overcome. It is a proposition to which aeromodellists should give their atten tion, as in its successful solution there lies great possibilities. I intend when the war is over making experiments regarding the wire less part, and as to the motive power, 1 should be glad if you could give hie any particulars of any motor, steim, petrol, &c, you think suitable for the above requirements." Referring to our correspondent's communication the successful application of " wireless " to the control of model aeroplanes is, we feel sure, very largely one of co-operation. There are at present scattered over the country a number of model aeroplane clubs, very few of whose members (probably) know anything about " wireless," there are also quite a considerable number of "wireless" clubs in tne kingdom, some, at any rate, of quite an advanced character, but these members know nothing of model aeroplanes. Unfortunately nearly, if not all, their attention has been devoted to wireless telegraphy, with crystal detectors, &c, and in which a coherer now plays practically no part. The first thing to be done, at least so it appears to the writer, is to bring these two bodies in touch. The wireless people probably would not become aeromodellists, although a few, of course, might ; but their knowledge of wireless work would undoubtedly be useful to any aeromodellist contemplating experimenting in this direction. There is still a third class of model Workers who could well contribute their share, and that is model motor boat enthusiasts, of whom there are quite a considerable number. As a matter of fact, such are badly in need of a successful method of keeping their craft straight, i.e., of being able to steer them automatically. At present they run round and round a pole on the end of a string and run not against one another, but against time. A successful method of automatically steering sailing model yachts appears to be in use. We have brought the model motor boat worker into the question because we are quite sure the solution of the problem will be a very gradual one, and that it should be approached through and by the model motor boat. Let us first of all learn to steer or control a model motor boat successfully by means of wireless before attempting to apply it to model aeroplanes. In S. R. Boltone's "Wireless Telegraphy," Whittaker and Co., SB. 6^., pp. 54, 55, 561 the reader will find an account of Nikola Tesla's wireless-con trolled boat. In "Wireless Telegraphy," Cassell and Co., is, ; " Work" Handbook, pp, 142-143, there is an account of a tuned coherer. An account of the " Natalia " is sure to be given in the " Scientific American," which can be seen at the Patent Office Library and elsewhere. Whether any technical account has as yet appeared of the small wireless dirigible exhibited at the London Hippodrome, and later, we believe, at Maskelyneand Devant's, we •do not know. If so perhaps some reader will kindly supply the information. The question of the motor can well be left over for the present. In the Nico'a Tesla boat the relay magnet was used to control the operation of the propelling engine and of the steering apparatus. Placed in the circuit of the electric controller was a commutator, by means of which the direction of the current may be changed in order to influence one of the two relay magnets placed in the battery cir cuit. While one relay is in operation, its armature closes a circuit passing through the motor in order to cause the rudder to swing to port, the other relay causes the motor to throw the rudder to star board. There can be no doubt that the prob'em must be first JOHNSON,: M.A. attacked by experimenting with a model power-driven boat ; the simplest and easiest point of attack is the stopping and starting of the electric motor by which the boat is driven, then the steering of the fame, and next a petrol or steam-driven model and a careful study of how far the vibrations of the engine affect the coherer. We shall be glad to hear further from our readers on this all- important question ; without a doubt, the future status of models will be vastly affected by it. My 50th Model. By H. TOMLINSON. " I herewith send you drawings of a canard or pusher type r.o.g. model which has proved itself a very consistent flier. It is my 50th model, all made since January, 1914 ; this is not counting non-fliers, of which I have had a few. "I see you published my last drawings under the name of 'Mr.' Tomlinson; this is my fault, as I only put my signature ; my age is SELF -RAISING MONOPLANE it St-nandS . j|Str^> Clastic 15, so I am hardly a ' Mr.'yet. I hope to send some photographs soon, if of any use to you." [The building of 50 models ought to produce something in the nature of model development ; any photo graphs, &c, showing this would be interesting.] Club Histories. " I am glad to hear/r FLIGHT," writes Mr. G. H. Kilshaw (Hon. Sec. Liverpool Aero. Research Club), "about club histories and suggested compilation of same. It would be practically impossible to give particulars of every model flown at club meetings, but I should suggest particulars and photographs, sketches, &c, of winning competition machines. " I have practically the complete list of models constructed by myself since the club's commencement, with a few experiments, &c., but the matter is one which would take some time to edit; I would, however, let you have them if you would care for me to do so." We shall be pleased to receive these ; we may perhaps just once more state that every account, whether of a personal or club nature, should be in proper chronological order and dated as accurately as possible. Where one type of model has been given up in favour of some other type, it would undoubtedly be interesting to know, in some cases, the reasons for this. 270
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