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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0443.PDF
JUNE 18, 1915. mm\ Edited by V. E. Some Experiments with Gliders. WE have received the following interesting letter from Mr. K. W. G. Pinney:— " Dear Sir,—Since I have taken in FLICHT I have noticed several articles connected with paper gliders, but in each case the experiments were carried out with the monoplane type. Recently I made a few simple experiments with biplane and monoplane gliders to observe their ropective qualities. " The gliders used were made of thin paper, both having exactly the same shape of plane and aspect ratio, the only difference being FINNEY'S GLIDER JOHNSON. M.A. in order to see if ihis did not give as good a gl.ding angle as in the case of the monoplane. Mr. J. R. Barrett's Compressed-Alr-Drivon Model. " I am sending you herewith," writes the alxtve, " two photo*, of my comprcsscd-air-driven machine, which may interest some of your readers. " As will be seen from the photos., the engine i« of the single acting oscillating cylinder type, lioic 5 inch, stroke I inch. The container, which is constructed of brut foil wrapped with thin piano wire, is 24 inches long and 3 inches in diameter. The pro peller has a diameter of 16 inches, and is of the rmtnil tytx. Thr chassis is constructed of steel umbrella ribbing. The weight of the engine is 225 ozs., while the total weight of the model is at oat. " The overall length of the model is 3 ft., and the span is % ft." Model Aeroplantng, with Observations on Weather Conditions. Ky K. W. POTTS. [The models used were Mann tractorplane ami Clarke A3, A-framc type.] ist. The wind during the dir was blowing strong, and by 7 p.m. it had fallen to nil. The aeroplane was noticed to fly well, the motor Mr. K. W. G. Pinney's glider. that the biplane had a little extra weight on it to obtain the correct gliding angle. Both gliders had a very small positive dihedral angle. " Tests were first carried out indoors, and later outdoors in a light breeze. Although the monoplane gave perhaps the best results, the biplane was decidedly more graceful to watch. " In your last issue I see that in Mr. Leeming's excellent article it is shown that the short fuselage gives the best gliding results, and in my own experience I have always found that to be the case. " The table gives the results obtained :— Gliding Tests in Calm Air. Long. Lat. Gliding Angle. Speed. Monoplane Very good ; about Fast I in 9 Biplane .. Not quite so good ; about 1 in 8 Wind Tests. Against Wind. Monoplane Fair stability; very flat gliding angle Biplane ... Very good stability ; good gliding angle; exceed ingly slow It would have been extremely interesting if our correspondent had constructed a third glider of biplane form with staggtrtdpiana, Stability. Stability. Fairly good Good Very slow Very good Good With Wind. Poor stability ; gliding angle not so good Fair stability; poor gliding angle " Pian of field used as aerodrome, contour of field and path of Mr. Potts' model. Mr. J. R. Barrett's neat compressed-air-driven monoplane model. 443 On the right, enlarged view of engine and propellers-
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