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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0384.PDF
Edited by V. E. Double Surface Planes. WRITING from Leicester, Mr. H. Sibley says:-—" In the article, ' Some Hints on the Building of Model Aeroplanes,' I notice that you state : ' Owing to the extra weight and difficulties of construc tion on a small scale it is not advisable to use '' double surface " aerofoils on small models—say under 5 or 6 ft. span.' " I do not quite agree with this, being a strong believer and user of double surface wings. Where does ' the extra weight and diffi culties of construction' come in? Is it that the subject of double surface wings has not been sufficiently tackled to produce the right result ? It is some years now since I constructed my first double _ SRaN 32 AU Mink boonc' ^X half roijn i»p«oce g-*rc SPRUCE fscs 13 surface wing, and the method of construction I then used has stood the test of time, and I still continue to use it. "At the aviation meeting at Burton-on-Trent, in August, 1913, I flew a model fitted with a double surface wing (a very heavy one, if ozs.) in open competition,'and obtained seventh place with a duration of 52 sees., so do not think the method can be condemned on the score of duration. "Below I give details of various wings that I have by me which might interest your readers :— "(1.) (See Figure.) Double surface wing, fitted to a 7 or. P-2-1 type ; span, 32 ins. ; chord, 4 ins. ; underside camber, ft in. ; top camber, f,; in. ; wing cabane and tie wires by which wing may be suitably adjusted as to dihedral, &c. Total weight, iy„ o*S. "(i) Double surface wing. Span, 35 ins.; chord, 4, ins. i underside Camber, 1 in. i top camber, j$ in. ; wing cabane. Total weight, 1 ft ozs. " (3) Double surface wing. Span, 24 ins. ; chord, 5 ins. ; underside camber, fV in. ; top camber, | in. ; no wing cabane. Total weight, I o*. "The above wings were not specially built for duration machines, JOHNSON. M.A. but for hard solid service. Apart from the above I have built by this method double surface wings of all shapes and sizes up to 5 ft. span. " The chief factor as regards weight in double surface wings is the amount of proofing used ; the above wings are well proofed and have glazed surfaces. The weight of the dope in some cases amounts to as much as 5 oz. of total weight." Use oi Model Aeroplane Clubs. The following letter from Mr. W. E. Evans of the Paddington and Districts Aero Club will doubtless be of interest to a good many readers of these notes :— " A member of our club has received a letter from one of the earliest members of the club who recently joined the Royal Flying Corps. The gist of the communication is as follows :—' I had almost forgotten the old club until someone mentioned the good work and foremost position held by the Paddington and Districts Aero Club ; and others, especially from the Midlands, have spoken of the club with the highest praise. To me it was well worth taking up models as I find my experience is of great help and have got everyone in our room on any point and am looked upon as a bit of an expert. I am expecting my first flight very shortly. Con gratulations to Mr. W. E. Evans for his untiring efforts, which have done so much for the club. Bes-t wishes for its future success.' " It is very gratifying to the club to receive the above letter, and to know that the work has not been in vain. Another member has joined the R.N.A.S., namely, Air-Mechanic D. Driver. The research and compressed air models are progressing satisfactorily." A Model Ble'riot. Mr. David Hay, writes as follows from Denny, Stirlingshire :— " Herewith you will find two photos, of a model Bleriot, two seater, which I built for a shop window last Christmas. The mode- was built from photos, which have appeared in FLIGHT. I am sorry I cannot send any photos, of my flyers, but hope to do so later on. I have built two models lately from parts supplied to me by W. G. Smith, London, and I must say that they are great flyers ; one has flown close on half-a-mile, of course there was a smart wind blowing ; the other—an r.o.g. one—I can get a distance of 300 yds. out of. I have built models from the year 1910, and have bad many a failure, but with the help of FLIGHT, and drawings and details of the models that have appeared in it, I have met with success, and must say that FLIGHT is the best paper to read on such a subject. I am the first model flyer in Denny, and I am trying to get a model club formed here. My Bleriot two-seater is 4 ft. 9 ins. long by 5 ft. span, and has all parts workable. I will be pleased to give any readers of FLIGHT scale drawings or any part concerning same. I am busy just now on a tractor monoplane which is nearly finished." Model Work in the States. It is perhaps hardly surprising that now that increased attention is being given to aviation in the United States there has been a revival in model woik. According to Aerial Age, there are now over a dozen clubs, in various parts of the country, which are holding meetings and organising competitions, &c. Mr. David Hay's model Bleriot. 384
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