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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0483.PDF
they being mounted on a shaft (in the positions as shown in Figs. I, 2, and 3) with f-in. clearance. The shaft is made to rotate by means of twisted rubber as a spring, but is prevented from doing so until desired by means of a ratchet wheel and a pawl, Fig. 4. As will be seen from the drawing, this part of the apparatus is exactly similar to that in a recent copy of FLIGHT (Fig. 3), and thus I think needs no further description. " The controls, of course, can only be actuated in succession, which I propose to do as follows in 13 movements :—I, Start along ground; 2. Climb J 3. Fly level; 4. Climb; 5, Fly level ; 6. Turn right; 7. Fly level; 8. Turn left ; 9. Fly level ; 10. Vol plane with engine stopped ; II. Fly level with engine going ; it. Flight vol planJ with engine going ; 13. Level, land, engine stop. " Of course other cams could be fitted for any other series of evolutions desired. Any desired movement of the aeroplane could be got by using the tapping key quickly. Suppose it was climbing movement 4, and a vol plant was required, next movement 10, six quick taps of the key would be all that would be necessary, the intermediate movements being passed over so quickly that they would not have time to take much effect. I would be glad to have this solution of the ' wireless controlled model' criticised as to any suggestions that might improve it." We need scarcely say that when publishing the former article on this subject we were unaware of its previous appearance in another paper. We shall be very pleased to receive criticisms, suggestions, or any useful comments on either or both of the two articles. There is no doubt that this is the branch of future model aeroplaning. An Original Model. By E. N. BRAY. "Some little time ago I wrote you that I was making a machine with the rubber across the wings. I now enclose photos. The particulars are as follows :—Span of upper plane, 48 ins. ; chord of upper plane, 6 ins. at centre, 3i ins. at tip ; span of lower plane, 41 ins. ; chord of lower plane, same as upper plane ; gap, 3 ins. ; surface of upper plane, 1 -55 sq. ft. ; surface of lower plane) I'32 sq. ft. ; surface of tail, 1*26 sq. ft. ; weight without rubber, 12 ozs. ; rubber, 12 strands of jL-in. square, weight i\ ozs., across wings ; four strands along fuselage ; gear ratio, 3-1, i.e., the pro pellers run two revolutions for each one of the cross rubber; pro pellers, 11 ins. diameter. "The greatest distance I have flown it is about 120 yds., and duration 12J sees. It can rise off the ground, and this extra ordinarily steadily. It is made of hollow spars. I had the bevel wheels specially cut, and they are of steel, nickel-plated. In appearance it is almost exactly like a real machine, and the hum of the bevels is like a tiny Gnome engine. The chief difhculty is to prctect the propellers, and prevent the spindle getting bent j when it lands on rough ground, it inevitably turns on to its nose, and the wheels are too small for anything but show turf. I think it is novel in many ways, and may ptove of interest to your reader.*. " I have a suggestion to make, which might lead to an advance in two directions :— " 1. A compressed air-container made of woven silk, with a thin rubber lining. I have made one 24 ins. long, 2 ins. diameter when blown up, weighing ij ozs. without air. The difficulty was that it was hand-knitted (like a stocking), and there were one or two loose places, and the rubber tended to force through like a punctured tyre ; though I have pumped 110 strokes without bursting. "2. My other suggestion is: A steam plant, using alcohol instead of water and the exhaust as fuel for the burner. The gain would be two-fold : (a) No extra fuel except for starting ; [f>) lower evaporating temperature. "I have made no experiments, except that I put some methylated spirit in a compressed air container, boiled it on the gas and lit the exhaust. There will doubtless be endless difficulties, but it would make a very light and interesting plant. I will let you know how I get on with the silk-rubber container." Our correspondent's suggestion with regard to the use of methylated spirits, both for the boiler and heating apparatus, is not by any means new. A description of such a machine (a helicopter) which actually flew is given in one of the very earliest numbers of FLIGHT. A model engine on that principle was also exhibited at one of the Royal Aero Club exhibitions at Olympia, and the same principle has also been advocated by the writer. It does un doubtedly possess some advantages, but is certainly not equal to a good flash-boiler plant. With regard to the rubber-bodied, silk-covered container, rt which our correspondent has sent us one of the rubber tul>es, the idea is certainly ingenious for certain very light models, but we do not consider it, on the whole, in any way (except that of perfect safety in case of burstage) as good as metal foil, wire wound con tainers, previously advocated in these columns. Some Experiments with Models of Varying Types, By 1'HKROZB E. J. MlNVALLA. Having for the last three years studied the fascinating science of flight, I should like to have the views of some of your readers on various problems that have hindered me. I read with great interest " Model Aeroplanes and How to Make Them," and constructed various models described, and obtained a Mr. E. N. Bray's model as seen from the front and from above. Mr. P. E. J. Mfnvalla's models. fairly successful number of flights. But it struck me that although the author used a cambered surface, yet almost all were rectangular. It occurred to me that perhaps a model (monoplane) with wings of a different shape, such as U-shaped, would give as much surface 483
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